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Nigeria’s road safety agency has launched a massive, week-long security operation across the country’s highway network to prevent a spike in accidents during the Easter holidays.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed on Wednesday that it has begun its “2026 Easter Special Patrol,” deploying thousands of personnel, ambulances, and tow trucks to the nation’s most dangerous transit corridors.

The operation, which runs from 1 to 8 April, comes as millions of Nigerians prepare to travel from major urban hubs like Lagos and Abuja to ancestral homes in the south and east for the festivities.

‘High-risk’ corridors

The FRSC has identified several “blackspots” where traffic is expected to be heaviest and the risk of fatal crashes highest. These include:

• The South-West Artery: Lagos–Ibadan and the Sagamu–Ore–Benin expressway.
• The Central Link: The notorious Abuja–Lokoja and Benin–Auchi–Okene routes.
• The Northern Belt: Kaduna–Zaria–Kano and the Ilorin–Mokwa corridors.
• The Eastern Gateway: Onitsha–Asaba and the Enugu–Port Harcourt expressway.

Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed stated that the surge in “vehicular and human traffic” necessitated a move toward “operational visibility” to deter reckless driving.

Mobile courts and ‘on-the-spot’ justice

In a bid to enforce discipline, the agency is deploying mobile courts directly onto the highways. Motorists caught speeding, overloading, or using mobile phones while driving face immediate prosecution at the roadside.

Officers have also been instructed to pay “special attention” to mechanically deficient vehicles—often referred to locally as “moving coffins”—and the illegal practice of mixing human passengers with livestock or heavy goods.

Analysis: The ‘Last Mile’ challenge

Nigeria’s highways are among the most dangerous in West Africa, with high fatality rates often attributed to a combination of poor road surfaces and a lack of driver discipline. For the FRSC, the Easter patrol is an annual test of their “rapid response” capabilities.

By placing ambulances and tow trucks at strategic intervals, the agency hopes to slash the “golden hour” response time for road victims. However, the true challenge remains the sheer volume of travelers. With fuel prices remains high and many turning to commercial transport, the pressure on these “high-risk” corridors is expected to reach its peak by Good Friday.

The agency has urged the public to use its 122 toll-free emergency number to report accidents or gridlock in real-time as the holiday exodus begins.