Nigeria’s road safety agency has launched a targeted enforcement drive to clear one of the most congested entry points into the capital, Abuja, by banning heavy-duty trucks during morning and evening rush hours.

In a statement released on Thursday and signed by Felicia Kalu, the Acting Corps Public Education Officer, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said “Operation Safe Kugbo” was a direct response to a “recurring incidence” of fatal crashes involving articulated vehicles along the busy AYA–Nyanya–Kugbo axis.

The move aims to separate slow-moving heavy goods vehicles from commuter traffic during peak periods, a strategy officials hope will significantly reduce the “bottleneck” effect that often paralyzes the eastern gateway to the city.

Day One: 89 trucks stopped

The operation officially began on Wednesday, 18 March 2026. A combined team of 30 officers and marshals, supported by patrol vehicles and motorbikes, successfully intercepted 89 articulated vehicles attempting to use the corridor during restricted hours.

According to the FRSC, motorists showed “full compliance” during the first 24 hours of the exercise. The agency noted that the initiative aligns with its broader 2026 strategic goal of creating a “safer road environment” through proactive prevention rather than reactive management.

Legal backing and safety goals

The restrictions are supported by both the National Road Traffic Regulations and specific FCT traffic laws. Under Section 223 of the national code, the Corps has the mandate to regulate the timing of heavy-vehicle movements to ensure public safety.

The Kugbo outbound corridor is notorious among Abuja residents for its steep inclines and sharp bends, which have frequently been the site of brake-failure accidents involving aging truck fleets. By restricting these vehicles to off-peak hours, the FRSC expects to:

• Reduce transit times for thousands of daily commuters.
• Minimize the severity of crashes by reducing vehicle density.
• Improve air quality by preventing heavy idling in peak-hour queues.

A ‘data-driven’ approach

The FRSC described the operation as “data-driven and people-centered,” emphasizing that the tactical team will remain on the ground to sustain the momentum.

“Sustained enforcement under Operation Safe Kugbo will remain a critical component of efforts to ensure safer and more efficient movement within the FCT,” the statement added. Transport operators have been urged to adjust their delivery schedules to avoid fines and vehicle impoundment.