The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, said that the corps arrested 2,261 truck and other articulated vehicle drivers between July 27 and August 14 for 3,289 traffic offences during its 'Operation Scorpion.'

He stated that the operation took place along seven critical trailer/tanker routes such as Lagos-Ibadan, Benin-Asaba, Mokwa-Makera, Abuja-Kaduna, Onitsha-Owerri, Ilorin-Jebba and Port Harcourt-Okigwe roads.

He added that 3,000 FRSC personnel were deployed specifically for the operation during which 1,791 vehicles were impounded for various offences.

According to the FRSC in a statement emailed to The Punch correspondent in Ilorin on Tuesday, Oyeyemi also pleaded with all Nigerians to imbibe the road safety culture.

The corps marshal said the FRSC would on September 1 commence the enforcement of the speed limiting device on commercial vehicles.

He urged all commercial vehicle drivers to comply so as to avoid the wrath of the law, adding that no effort would be spared in achieving the set goal.

Oyeyemi also said the FRSC had commenced the harmonisation of its biometric data with the National Identity Management Commission.

The corps marshal also said the FRSC would soon establish its traffic radio in line with the best global practice. He also said FRSC had introduced free medical check-ups for drivers and regular checks on vehicles.

Oyeyemi said, "The free safety checks, which are conducted quarterly have attracted more motorists. The half-year result indicated that 27,562 vehicles were checked and found to have 28,528 defects.

"This shows an increase of 15 per cent in vehicles checked over the same period in 2014 with a decrease of one per cent in defects. In view of progress achieved therefore, the checks have been expanded to include medical check-ups on drivers.

"The new focus will enable the driver to know not only the mechanical state of his vehicle but also his or her personal health status."

He claimed that road traffic crashes as of June had reduced by 12 per cent, adding that deaths from these crashes also reduced by 15 per cent, in comparison with same period of 2014.

He restated the determination of the FRSC to meet its 2015 corporate strategic goals of reducing road carnage in the country by 20 per cent and deaths from crashes by 30 per cent.

He also assured Nigerians that the corps was making adequate arrangements towards the end of year special (ember months) operations.

According to him, FRSC had already commenced a nationwide re-assessment of the nation's highways to enable the corps to finalise its strategic approach.