In a critical safety campaign, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Katsina Command has launched a targeted operation against the perilous and illegal practice of ‘mix-loading’—transporting human passengers alongside livestock and goods—at the Charanchi livestock market. This initiative underscores a growing effort to tackle road safety violations at their source, particularly in high-risk economic hubs.
Leading the campaign, FRSC Katsina Sector Commander, Mr. Maxwell Lede, stated the exercise is a direct implementation of the Corps’ mandate to protect lives and property on Nigerian highways. The choice of Charanchi market is strategic; it is not just a local trading point but a major international livestock hub. The market attracts herders, traders, and transporters from across Nigeria’s North-West region and neighbouring countries like Niger Republic, making it a significant origin point for vehicles engaged in this dangerous practice.
Commander Lede issued a stern warning on the severe dangers of mix-loading, which is a major contributor to road crashes. The risks are multifaceted:
- Distraction and Loss of Control: Animals can move unpredictably, startling drivers or causing them to lose control of the vehicle.
- Disease Transmission: Close proximity to livestock in a confined space poses serious zoonotic disease risks to passengers.
- Unsecured Loads: In the event of a sudden stop or crash, unsecured animals become deadly projectiles.
- Compromised Emergency Evacuation: The presence of panicked animals and goods blocks exits and hampers rescue efforts after an accident.
Lede emphasized that these risks are exacerbated during festive periods like the ongoing yuletide season when traffic volume spikes nationwide, increasing the probability of catastrophic accidents.
The FRSC’s approach recognizes that enforcement alone is insufficient. The campaign is rooted in community engagement and alliance-building. Upon arrival in Charanchi, Commander Lede paid a courtesy visit to the District Head, the Sarkin Shanun Katsina, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abashe. This move highlights the FRSC’s understanding of the influential role traditional institutions play in shaping social norms and compliance. The District Head pledged full support, commending the FRSC’s sustained community engagement.
Furthermore, the FRSC engaged directly with the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), including representatives for taxi, bus, and truck operators. Lede placed direct responsibility on these union leaders to curb mix-loading at departure points, stating they are critical gatekeepers for passenger safety. He urged all stakeholders—drivers, traders, union leaders, and passengers—to prioritize human life above short-term profit, noting that reversing this entrenched practice requires a collective commitment.
Transport union leaders at the meeting appreciated the engagement and pledged continued collaboration with the FRSC on enforcement. This multi-pronged strategy—combining direct enlightenment, traditional authority, and transport union cooperation—aims to create a sustainable deterrent against a practice that endangers countless lives on the road. The FRSC’s focused intervention at Charanchi market serves as a potential model for similar operations at other high-risk transport nodes across the country.
Report by Zubairu Idris for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo.
