The Commissioner of Police of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Babaji Sunday, has ordered that all types of car and speed races be prohibited in the territory.
The order was contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, DSP Josephine Adeh.
She stated that the CP had directed all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and their supervisory Area Commanders in the FCT to ensure that the prohibition was fully enforced in their respective areas of responsibility (AoR).
Adeh stated that the order was issued in response to public outrage over the dangers of recklessness, risk to lives, and damage to personal property as well as critical national infrastructure caused by car and speed races.
She claimed that illegal car racing, acceleration contests, speed competitions, and physical endurance tests, among other things, had made it difficult for road users in the FCT to navigate traffic.
Section 228 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, according to her, clearly prohibits any car race, drag race, acceleration contest, test of physical endurance, or exhibition of speed, among others.
She threatened anyone or any group caught organizing or participating in the illegal car racing event with arrest and prosecution.
Adeh urged parents and guardians to persuade their children and wards to refrain from illegal car racing and speed competition, as the practice or participation was illegal.
She urged residents to be understanding and cooperative, adding that the command would continue to do everything in its power to ensure the safety of FCT residents.
According to her, the measure is part of efforts to ensure that Christmas and New Year’s celebrations go off without a hitch.
She urged residents to call the Command’s emergency numbers, 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883, to report any suspicious activity or threats to public peace, safety, and security.