Zamfara SSG decries attitude of drivers, urges immediate arrest of offenders

By John Bassey, Gusau

The Secretary to the Zamfara State Government (SSG), Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada, has decried the reckless attitude of some road users, noting that it continues to threaten public safety. He has urged law enforcement agencies to intensify action against traffic offenders.

The SSG gave the directive today, Friday, April 24, after receiving reports on increasing traffic violations and related offences from Gusau and other parts of the state at his office in the JB Secretariat, Gusau.

A statement by Comrade Suleman Ahmad Tudu, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the SSG, revealed that the Zamfara Road Traffic Court has convicted approximately 270 offenders in the state this week alone.

The directive aligns with the state government’s decision in February to establish a committee, chaired by DCP Salisu Bello Fago, with the mandate of examining the prevalence and nature of traffic violations to curb frequent accidents in the state.

Addressing the committee, Nakwada charged law enforcement agencies to track and prosecute offenders “without fear or favour”, regardless of their social status, while strictly cautioning officials against the extortion of citizens.

“It is important to state without ambiguity that the violations highlighted in this report, ranging from traffic indiscipline to the abuse of regulated privileges, directly undermine the government’s ongoing efforts to build safe, orderly, and secure urban and inter-local government transport systems,” he stated.

The SSG highlighted that such indiscipline is particularly concerning given the “significant investments being made in strategic infrastructure across the state capital and key local government headquarters.”

He warned that “any act of non-compliance, negligence, or deliberate violation… will not be tolerated”, adding that heads of relevant agencies would be held accountable for lapses within their jurisdictions.

Malam Nakwada also tasked relevant government agencies with intensifying public awareness campaigns and urged citizens to strictly adhere to traffic rules. He thanked the committee for its diligence, assuring that the government would implement recommendations to improve traffic management and promote safer roads.

Key recommendations from the committee include:

• Establishing a joint task force comprising security and law enforcement personnel.

• Collaborating closely with the existing Zamfara Road Traffic Court.

• Strengthening enforcement of operational guidelines to ensure firm and fair prosecution.