FRSC zone 12 apprehends over 200 drivers for overloading

The Zone 12 of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), comprising Bauchi, Borno and Yobe states, headquartered in Bauchi, has arrested 226 commercial vehicle drivers for the offence of overloading.

The Zonal Commander, ACM Yakubu Mohammad who stated this in Bauchi on Monday, attributed the development to the launching of a major operation to combat the rampant cases of overloading in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria.

According to him, codenamed ‘Operation Shed Weights’, the ongoing intervention patrol, which started in August 2025, has resulted in the arrest of 226 overloaded vehicles from August through the 2nd week of September 2025.

The zonal Commander added that overloading, which includes carrying excess goods, passengers, or animals beyond a vehicle’s capacity, is a significant contributor to road traffic crashes and fatalities.

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He said that the operation is a direct response to the endemic nature of this offence in the subregion as the apprehended vehicles were found to be in violation of traffic regulations,188 (1) & (2) of the National Road Traffic Regulation (NRTR) 2022 as amended, posing a serious risk to all road users.

The Zonal Commander, ACM Yakubu Mohammad, urged the public, particularly passengers, to take an active role in ensuring their safety.

He emphasised that passengers have the right to resist being overloaded in any vehicle.

ACM Yakubu Mohammad said by refusing to travel in an overloaded vehicle, individuals can not only protect themselves but also help the Command in its enforcement efforts.

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He therefore, reaffirmed the zone 12’s commitment to the vigorous enforcement of traffic laws, assuring the public that it will continue to arrest vehicles found with excess goods, humans, or animals.

The zonal Commander reminded motorists and the general public of the command’s zero-tolerance approach to enhance road safety and reduce the incidence of crashes caused by overloaded vehicles.

Furthermore, the Zonal Command has charged all the Sector Commands to rededicate efforts in providing prompt and effective responses to road traffic emergencies in Bauchi, Borno and Yobe states.

The Zonal Commanding Officer who enjoined members of the public to use the emergency contact number 122 to report any road traffic crash or dangerous situations on the road, wishes all motorists in the state safe travels.