The Directorate of Road Traffic Services also known as Vehicles Inspection Officers (VIO) is to use of mobile courts to prosecute traffic offenders in Abuja.
The VIO Spokesman in Federal Capital Territory, Mr Kalu Emetu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that the aim was to curtail the activities of recalcitrant drivers.
Emetu also said that the initiative would bring justice for VIO personnel killed by either hit and run drivers or fake cab drivers.
He said that the service would work out the modalities with the judiciary and other stakeholders for the use of the mobile courts.
“The setting up of the courts is not intended to witch-hunt motorists, but to protect their lives and that of other road users including VIO personnel.
“2016 was challenging for the service because it lost a lot of its personnel on duty to hit and run drivers most of whom drive unpainted taxis.
“Enough is enough to the manhandling and reckless killing of VIO personnel.
“For goodness sake these men are out to work and make the roads safer for all, so they do not deserve the death they are getting.
“The service is really going to crack down on such drivers and bring sanity back to the FCT,’’ he said.
Emetu said that during the last ember months alone, more than 10 of VIO personnel were attacked, killed or disabled.
He appealed to the public not to see the personnel as enemies but partners in progress.
The spokesman urged the public not to patronise unpainted taxis as they were not recognised in the FCT.
“In the event of any atrocity, it may be difficult to find them.
“Most of them are not real taxi drivers; they are out to perpetuate evils such as kidnapping, `one-chance’ and armed robbery.
“Anybody that wants to be a taxi driver should obey the law and go through the right processes.’’ (NAN)