By Ibrahim G. Ahmad
Gusau, Dec. 19, 2025 – The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Zamfara State has issued a stark and urgent warning to parents and guardians, highlighting a dangerous and growing trend: the overloading of school children on motorcycles and tricycles, commonly known as ‘okadas’ and ‘keke NAPEP’. This practice, driven by economic necessity and convenience, is now being flagged as a direct threat to child safety and a significant contributor to road traffic injuries.
Sector Commander Aliyu Maaji, in a press briefing in Gusau, stated unequivocally that the corps will now apprehend and prosecute anyone engaged in this reckless act. This move marks a significant escalation from mere advocacy to active enforcement, signaling the severity of the issue.
“The risks are no longer theoretical,” Maaji emphasized. “We have moved from concern to casualties. Overloading these vulnerable vehicles with young children has directly resulted in severe injuries and, tragically, deaths. Every child crammed onto a bike is a life placed in imminent danger.”
The Shocking Reality: A Case Study in Risk
To illustrate the extreme peril, Commander Maaji cited a recent, harrowing incident. A single motorcycle rider was attempting to transport seven school children at once. The inevitable loss of control and stability led to a crash. “While we are thankful there were no fatalities in this particular case,” Maaji reported, “the injuries sustained by the children were severe and life-altering. This is not an anomaly; it is a preventable disaster waiting to happen on countless school runs each morning.”
Why Overloading is Catastrophically Dangerous
Beyond the obvious imbalance, overloading a motorcycle fundamentally compromises its safety:
1. Critical Loss of Control: The rider’s ability to steer, brake, and maneuver is drastically reduced. A sudden swerve to avoid a pothole or another vehicle becomes nearly impossible.
2. Increased Stopping Distance: The added weight makes it harder to stop quickly, turning a minor near-miss into a serious collision.
3. Heightened Center of Gravity: Children moving or shifting their weight can easily topple the already unstable vehicle.
4. Lack of Protective Gear: It is virtually impossible to provide seven helmets on a single bike. In a crash, children are exposed to direct, traumatic impact.
A Multi-Pronged Strategy for Enforcement and Education
The FRSC command is not relying on warnings alone. A comprehensive strategy has been deployed:
• Strategic Deployment: Personnel have been specifically positioned around school zones during peak hours to monitor and intercept overloaded motorcycles.
• Community Partnership: The public is urged to act as the eyes and ears of the corps. “We call on communities to provide us with timely information. Your alert can save a child’s life,” Maaji stated.
• Legal Backing: In a decisive step, the corps is collaborating with the State Ministry of Justice to establish a mobile court. This will ensure swift prosecution of traffic violators, moving beyond impoundment to legal consequences.
• High-Level Advocacy: Continuous engagement with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and school administrators aims to embed road safety consciousness within the community’s value system.
The Ultimate Stake: A Child’s Future
Commander Maaji framed the issue in its most profound terms: “When parents overload a motorcycle, they are not just risking a broken limb. They are gambling with their child’s education and future. A severe injury can lead to prolonged absence from school, trauma, and permanent disability. Ensuring a safe journey to school is the first and most critical lesson of the day—the lesson of preserving life itself.”
He concluded with a call for collective responsibility: “Road safety is a shared covenant. With all hands on deck—parents, riders, community leaders, and law enforcement—we can achieve widespread sensitization, improve compliance, and ultimately, reduce these heartbreaking crashes to zero.”
Edited by Chinyere Omeire
