The Director-General of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Abraham Amaliba, has called for the return of police officers to major highways in the country to help curb speeding and road crashes.
His call follows a fatal accident at Ofankor Barrier on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
The early morning crash reportedly claimed 11 lives and left several others badly injured.
Speaking in an interview on JoyNews on Thursday August 13, 2026, Amaliba said police officers from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) must be deployed, especially to areas identified as road crash hotspots.
Bloody Thursday: Gory scenes as scores are feared dead in Ofankor Barrier road crash
“Let’s bring back the police, particularly at hotspots, to deal with speeding and road crashes. People are dying,” he said.
He explained that hotspots are areas where road crashes happen frequently.
He said the presence of police officers at such locations could discourage motorists from speeding.
“When drivers see a policeman there, they will lower their speed,” Amaliba said.
He stressed that enforcement must complement public education on road safety.
According to him, taking police officers off the roads has created a situation where some drivers feel free to overspeed. He said some motorists now treat the roads “like a Formula One track”, increasing the risk of fatal crashes.
Amaliba said he had been calling on the police MTTD to return to the roads.
He acknowledged concerns about officers allegedly harassing and extorting drivers but argued that enforcement should not be abandoned.
He also noted that a traffic check system is expected to be rolled out next year, but said action is needed now because lives are being lost.
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