The FRSC added that the crashes involved 21 vehicles and 128 people in the zone during the Sallah celebration.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Osogbo zonal command, which comprises Osun, Ondo and Oyo states, has reported that no fewer than nine persons were killed while 78 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in 13 road crashes.
The FRSC added that the crashes involved 21 vehicles and 128 people in the zone during the Sallah celebration.
The Corps’ Acting Zonal Commanding Officer, Leye Adegboyega, made this known in a statement issued in Osogbo, Osun State capital while reviewing the first three days of the command’s special operation for Sallah celebration which began on Friday and covered major routes within its jurisdiction.
Adegboyega said the corps deployed a total of 3,018 personnel, 57 patrol vehicles, five ambulances, and two heavy-duty tow trucks during this period.
He explained that the personnel monitored about 65 major routes across the zone daily to maintain visibility and reduce avoidable speed-related crashes. Standby rescue teams were also stationed across all commands in the zone for quick responses to distress calls from accident scenes.
Adegboyega said, “The 2024 Eid El Kabir Sallah Special Patrol Operation is scheduled from Friday, June 14 to Friday, June 21, 2024, across the country.
“Zone RS11 Osogbo of the Corps, which comprises Osun, Ondo, and Oyo states, has embraced the operation’s mission: ensuring free traffic flow, minimizing road traffic crashes (RTCs), providing prompt rescue services in the event of crashes, and clearing obstructions on all major roads and critical corridors across the three states during and after the Sallah festivities.
“To achieve the mission, a total of 3,018 personnel (2,155 Regular Marshals and 863 Special Marshals), 57 Patrol Vehicles, five ambulances, and two Heavy Duty Tow Trucks have been deployed across the commands.
“The daily monitored roads include critical corridors such as: i. Ibadan-Lagos Expressway; ii. Ibadan-Ife Expressway; iii. Ife-Ilesa Expressway; iv. Ilesa-Ipetujesa-Akure Expressway; v. Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway; and vi. Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomoso Expressway.”
The zonal commander reported that in the first three days of the operation, 737 traffic offenders were arrested and cited for 766 various traffic offenses that could have led to avoidable crashes.
Additionally, 219 public enlightenment activities were conducted across news media, motor parks, churches, mosques, and other public places to promote road safety awareness.
He further said that prompt rescue services were provided for the victims of 13 RTCs involving 21 vehicles and 128 people. Sadly, nine individuals lost their lives, while 78 others were injured and transported to hospitals.
Additionally, 41 people were rescued without injuries and continued their journeys.
Looking ahead, Adegboyega urged the public and all road users to use the roads responsibly to help reduce the loss of lives and property.