Crashes Are Caused By Drivers’ Negligence, Not Ember Months- Oyeyemi

Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), said in Lagos on Monday that many crashes were caused as a result of disobedience to traffic rules and regulations by road users, not the ember months.

Oyeyemi made the remark during the official flag-off of the Ember months campaign of the FRSC, Lagos State Command.

Oyeyemi, who was represented by Mr Austine Aipoh, Zonal Commanding Officer, Osogbo, said that there was no supernatural thing about the ember months, saying that crashes were caused mainly by human disobedience to regulations.

“Today, we have come to demystify the belief and situate the mindsets and our actions for veritable safety on our highways.

“The truth is that nothing is supernatural about the ember months, road crashes are caused due to disobedience of rules and regulations by road users,’’ Oyeyemi said.

According to him, increase in socio-economic activities during the period engenders inordinate traffic surge that stretches the road transport system.

He said that most motorists throw caution to the winds under the complex traffic situation, and embark on speeding, overloading and wrongful overtaking.

Oyeyemi added that speed limit violations by drivers had become a critical risk factor which accounted annually for a significant loss of lives.

The FRSC boss, therefore, advised that motorists and stakeholders should rise to their responsibilities by playing a part towards achieving a crash-free season.

Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State Governor, represented by Mr Anofiu Elegushi, Commissioner for Transport, said that the ember months campaign were a strategy to reduce crashes.

Elegushi said that the aim was to elevate the consciousness of motorists during and after the festive season.

“The ember months campaign as a component of the FRSC strategic engagements is aimed at elevating the consciousness of Nigerians to the realities of road traffic crashes and its implications.

“Nigeria, as a developing country accounts for 91 per cent of road fatalities, which are colossal to human capital and material losses, with frightening implications on the health system and sustainable development,’’ he said.

The commissioner appealed to Lagos residents to consider their safety as utmost, especially during the end-of-year festivities.

According to him, the road is not a race track and it is not a place for competition, hence drivers must stay away from speeding, drunk driving, dangerous driving and use of mechanically deficient vehicles.

Mr Tajudeen Agbede, Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), represented by Mr Ifeoluwa Adenusi, said that the association has advised its members to drive safely during the season.

Agbede noted that members have been encouraged to go through medical check-ups before embarking on their journeys.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ember months campaign tagged “Crash the Crash: Speed Kills,’’ was sponsored by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO).

Credit: NAN

Yola Blast Caused By Bombs In Police Store- Police Commissioner

The Commissioner of Police in Adamawa, Mr Mohammed Gazali, said Thursday’s blast at the Jimeta Police Station was caused by bombs recovered from Boko Haram insurgents. Gazali told newsmen in Yola that the recovered bomb exploded from the store used by the Police Command to warehouse exhibits. He said that most of those affected by the blast were policemen. “Policemen were mostly affected and we don’t know the actual casualties for now as the place is not yet safe for us to go in,” Gazali said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the explosion had also affected the walls of Majalisa Primary School where some pupils were injured. The state Commissioner for Information, Malam Ahmad Sajoh, confirmed that the pupils sustained minor injuries and had been treated and discharged from

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the explosion had also affected the walls of Majalisa Primary School where some pupils were injured. The state Commissioner for Information, Malam Ahmad Sajoh, confirmed that the pupils sustained minor injuries and had been treated and discharged from hospital. NAN reports that the station where the blast occurred contained offices of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), Motor Traffic Department (MTD) and the police tailoring section.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the explosion had also affected the walls of Majalisa Primary School where some pupils were injured. The state Commissioner for Information, Malam Ahmad Sajoh, confirmed that the pupils sustained minor injuries and had been treated and discharged from hospital. NAN reports that the station where the blast occurred contained offices of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), Motor Traffic Department (MTD) and the police tailoring section.

Credit: NAN

Flesh-Eating Bug On The Rise In Syria Caused By ISIS Dumping Bodies In The Street

WAR-ravaged Syria has a new enemy – a deadly flesh-eating bug caused by ISIS dumping bodies in the street.

The bug, known as Leishmaniasis, is caused by protozoan parasites.

It is usually carried by flies but experts warn that increase in rotting flesh in the street has triggered a dramatic rise.

Records suggest that 16 months ago around 500 people were affected by the disease, but that is now believed to have soared.

Dilqash Isa, head of the Kurdish Red Crescent humanitarian organisation , said: ‘As a result of abominable acts by ISIS that included the killing of innocent people and dumping their corpses in streets, this is the leading factor behind the rapid spread of Leishmanisis disease.’

The World Health Organization has warned that Syria’s health system has collapsed under five years of war, the Metro reports.

‘We did not have knowledge about this deadly disease before,’ a Syrian Kurdish fighter told news agencies. ‘We have been fighting on the battlefield for almost four years and this disease basically generated from embattled areas of Tal Hamis, Hon and Qosa,’

Credit: AP