By Iyemah David
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has officially flagged off “Operation Eagle Eye”, a strategic search and rescue initiative.
The initiative is aimed at minimising road accidents and ensuring the safety of commuters during the busy festive period.
In her keynote address, Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, in Abuja on Wednesday emphasised that road safety is a collective responsibility, urging Nigerians to be proactive.
The Operation Eagle Eye 2025 is designed to support traffic control, prevent road traffic crashes, and ensure prompt rescue and emergency response during the festive season.
Road users were advised to strictly observe traffic regulations, avoid over-speeding and reckless driving, and cooperate with officials on duty to ensure a safe, orderly, and hitch-free Yuletide period.
Mrs Umar, who was represented by Mr Onimode Bandele, Director, Planning, Research and Forecasting, said that the operation remains a critical annual initiative aimed at safeguarding lives and property during periods of increased vehicular movement.
She said that the operation followed a recent “Operation Keep Fit” exercise led by the D-G to ensure that staff are physically prepared for the rigors of field operations.
The NEMA boss raised concerns over the mechanical fitness of vehicles and the lack of familiarity some drivers have with current road conditions.
She said that many vehicles traveling long distances, such as the Enugu-Port Harcourt route, had not undergone rigorous checks in months.
“There are cars on this road that have never been to Gwagwalada in the last six months. Those are the risks. There are people going to places like Lokoja who haven’t been on that road in seven months, unaware that the road is under construction,” she warned.
Addressing the personnel and volunteers, Umar issued a stern “rule of thumb” regarding personal safety, recalling a tragic incident in Lagos where a staff member was lost during a similar exercise.
“You must keep yourself safe to help others stay alive. If you try to raise your hand for a trailer that is not trying to stop, jump out of the road. Your loved ones are waiting for you to return,” she cautioned.
The DG also provided specific instructions for the drivers of Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICU).
She advised that any injured person being transported to a hospital must be accompanied by a relative to ensure proper documentation and accountability.
She formally declared the 2025 Operation Eagle Eye open, urging commercial drivers to “drive to stay alive” while praying for a hitch-free season.
Earlier, the Head, Abuja Operations Office, Mr Zakari Abubakar, said that the programme leveraged existing synergies between critical stakeholders to improve vehicular movement.
He emphasised that the goal was to work together to minimise, and if possible, prevent road crashes during this high-traffic period.
Also speaking, the Director of Search and Rescue, NEMA, Air Commodore Usman Bature, explained that the exercise was a proactive measure occurring simultaneously across the country.
Air Commodore Bature said that the initiative ensured that agencies were on high alert to react immediately to any undesirable situation on the highways.
He further urged the public to “play safe,” cautioning that many drivers take unnecessary risks during the holidays.
He said that maintaining vigilance was essential for the safety of all commuters.
Representing the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Assistant Corps Commander Sani Idris, clarified that road mishaps are “crashes” rather than “accidents,” as they are often man-made and avoidable.
Assistant Corps Commander Idris cautioned drivers against the use of mobile phones, alcohol and excessive speeding.
He provided a practical comparison, noting that driving at 140km/h instead of 100km/h often saves only 30 minutes while significantly increasing the risk of fatality.
He also warned that stimulants like caffeine or kola nuts could not “cheat nature” when a driver is fatigued.
“The road is very patient, but it does not forgive,” he said.
He urged drivers to prioritise rest over stimulants.
