By Christian Njoku
Cross River Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says road traffic crashes reduced by 55 per cent in the first half of 2026 compared with the corresponding period in 2025.
The Sector Commander, Mr Innocent Etuk, disclosed this while briefing journalists during the inauguration of Operation Shark Smile, a special intervention patrol aimed at reducing road crashes across the South-South.
Etuk attributed the reduction to the strategic deployment of personnel, improved data analysis, emergency-response positioning, and targeted patrols at accident hotspots.
According to the commander, “reported crashes dropped from 67 cases in the first half of 2025 to 30 cases during the same period in 2026.
“We have also strategically stationed ambulances and rescue teams near black spots to improve emergency response whenever it is necessary.”
Speaking further, he said Operation Shark Smile differed from routine patrols by deploying senior officers, including sector heads, route commanders and team leaders, for closer supervision.
He noted that the intervention prioritises professionalism, traffic calming, rapid rescue operations and stricter enforcement on identified crash-prone corridors across the state.
He identified dangerous driving, overloading, driving under the influence and operating vehicles without valid driver’s licences as major offences targeted by the operation.
The commander called on motorists to obey traffic regulations, stressing that discipline and responsible driving remained the most effective ways of preventing avoidable crashes.
He also urged transport operators to embrace road safety culture and ensure only qualified and licensed drivers operate commercial vehicles.
On collaboration with the state, he said FRSC had proposed training and retraining for state traffic personnel to improve professionalism and harmonise traffic management.
The commander encouraged members of the public to report unprofessional conduct by FRSC personnel through official complaint channels, using officers’ name tags and patrol codes by visiting the command.
He reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to safer roads, urging motorists to drive responsibly, comply with traffic laws and “drive to stay alive” while taking responsibility for their safety.