The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, appealed to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Special Marshals to adopt data‑driven interventions, deepen strategic partnerships and improve operational efficiency in order to lower road traffic crashes across Nigeria. The appeal was made on Saturday through his representative, Aminu Bala Sokoto of the Sultanate Council, at the 2026 Special Marshals Zonal Conference of FRSC RS‑10 held in Sokoto.
**What was the theme of the conference?**
The gathering, titled “Repositioning Special Marshals for Greater Impact Through Strategic Partnership and Data‑Driven Road Safety Interventions,” brought together officials and volunteers from Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states to discuss how to strengthen road‑safety advocacy and volunteer services.
**Why did the Sultan stress a shift in approach?**
Speaking through Aminu Bala Sokoto, the monarch said Special Marshals must move beyond routine volunteer tasks and adopt a coordinated, proactive, results‑oriented model. He highlighted the need for collaboration among government agencies, transport unions, private firms, schools, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community groups to broaden public awareness and enforce traffic regulations.
> “Strategic partnership involves working closely with government agencies, > transport unions, private organisations, schools, traditional rulers, > religious leaders and community groups to pool resources, share expertise > and expand road safety awareness,” the Sultan said.
**What are the consequences of road traffic crashes, according to the Sultan?**
He described crashes as a grave concern because they cause loss of life, injuries and economic hardship. He argued that tackling the problem requires collective responsibility, effective collaboration and evidence‑based actions.
**What role do Special Marshals play, and what support do they need?**
The Sultan noted that Special Marshals contribute to public enlightenment, traffic‑management assistance, community engagement and emergency response, but they require regular training, adequate safety gear, motivation and a clear understanding of their duties to be effective.
**How should data be used to improve road safety?**
He urged volunteers to rely on reliable data to pinpoint accident‑prone spots, dangerous driving behaviours and vulnerable road users. The Sultan called for systematic documentation and reporting of observations through approved FRSC channels so authorities can identify high‑risk areas and design targeted interventions. He suggested that digital reporting tools and GPS technology could enhance communication, record‑keeping and the deployment of resources.
**How will accountability be measured?**
According to the Sultan, the performance of Special Marshals should be judged by the quality of their activities, the reach of public‑awareness campaigns, hazards reported and measurable improvements in road‑safety practices. He advocated for regular training, standardised reporting, continuous public enlightenment and recognition of volunteers who deliver outstanding results.
> “Our success should not be measured merely by the number of campaigns we > conduct but by the positive impact we make in protecting lives and > preventing road traffic crashes,” he added.
**What did FRSC leadership say?**
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, represented by Assistant Corps Marshal Fredrick A. Ogidan, echoed the Sultan’s call, stressing that population growth, rising vehicle ownership, urban expansion and changing road‑user behaviour demand modern, technology‑driven, evidence‑based solutions. He affirmed that road‑safety promotion cannot rest solely on the FRSC and urged Special Marshals to deepen collaboration with government bodies, transport operators, educational institutions, professional organisations, faith‑based groups and community leaders.
Mohammed also highlighted the importance of improving data collection, documentation and reporting to ensure interventions are guided by reliable information rather than assumptions. He pointed to the 2025 Special Marshals Guidelines as a framework for accountability, transparency, leadership development and better coordination within the scheme.
**What messages were delivered by other officials?**
Sokoto State Coordinator of Special Marshals Sanusi Usman Wadata described the conference as an opportunity for volunteers to renew their commitment to saving lives through public enlightenment, stakeholder engagement and evidence‑based actions. National Coordinator Engineer Adaji Usman, whose message was read by Wadata, urged members to stay dedicated to their volunteer duties, especially public education and traffic control.
The event also hosted representatives from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service and Nigeria Immigration Service, together with sector commanders and Special Marshals from the three states. Honorary Special Marshals were identified for decoration at a later ceremony.