As the festive rush intensifies across Nigeria, emergency management agencies are taking proactive steps to curb the seasonal spike in road traffic accidents. In a coordinated effort, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Abia State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) have launched ‘Operation Eagle Eye,’ a targeted safety campaign operational in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
Mr. Nnamdi Igwe, Head of NEMA’s Owerri Operations Office covering Imo and Abia States, framed the initiative as a critical, time-sensitive intervention. “This special exercise is conducted during the Yuletide specifically to reduce road accidents,” he stated, highlighting the predictable correlation between increased travel, celebratory moods, and heightened road risks. The operation is not merely a publicity drive but a field-deployed unit combining education with immediate emergency response capabilities.
The strategy is twofold: intensive sensitization and pre-positioned rapid response. Teams are engaging directly with motorists and commuters at parks and major traffic junctions, distributing leaflets with clear, actionable messages like “Slow down – arrive alive,” “Speed kills, drive with limit,” and “Seatbelt saves lives.” [[PEAI_MEDIA_X]] This on-the-ground advocacy aims to cut through the holiday distractions and remind road users of fundamental safety practices.
More significantly, the campaign is backed by tangible emergency assets. “We came with an ambulance fully equipped for any emergency,” Igwe explained. This is supported by personnel from the Red Cross Society of Nigeria, trained to administer critical first aid at the scene, bridging the often-fatal gap between a crash and hospital admission. This model recognizes that while prevention is paramount, preparedness for the worst-case scenario is equally vital.
The collaboration extends across multiple tiers of government and civil society. NEMA and SEMA are working in concert with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Red Cross, creating a unified command structure that leverages each agency’s strengths—from traffic regulation and public education to medical response and disaster management.
Dr. Sunday Jackson, Executive Secretary of Abia SEMA, emphasized the statewide support for the operation, commending Governor Alex Otti for providing the necessary enabling environment. He reiterated that the core mission is to “sensitisemotorists, commuters and the public on the need to obey traffic rules and ensure safe driving to minimise accidents.”
‘Operation Eagle Eye’ commenced in Abia on Wednesday and is scheduled to extend to Imo State by Friday, maintaining a persistent presence on major routes until January 3, 2026. This extended timeline covers the peak travel periods of Christmas and New Year celebrations, when long-distance journeys and night travel are most common. The multi-state approach acknowledges that road safety is a regional challenge, especially in interconnected areas like Abia and Imo.
This initiative serves as a practical case study in proactive disaster risk reduction. Rather than solely reacting to accidents, agencies are deploying resources preemptively to where data and experience predict they will be needed most. For the public, the message is clear: the festive season is a time for joy and reunion, and ensuring a safe journey is the most important first step. The success of ‘Operation Eagle Eye’ will ultimately be measured not in leaflets distributed, but in lives preserved and families kept whole throughout the holidays. [[PEAI_MEDIA_X]]
Source: NAN News
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