The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) on Monday flagged off its 2026 Ember Months Safety Campaign, urging motorists and other road users to observe traffic regulations and prioritise safety throughout the festive season.

The flag-off ceremony, held at the Authority’s headquarters, State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, was led by the Executive Chairman, Maj. Adesagba Adekoya (Rtd).

Speaking at the event, Maj. Adekoya warned that disregard for traffic rules and regulations remains a major cause of road accidents, particularly during the ember months, when vehicular movement increases significantly.

He appealed to motorists to exercise patience and caution, noting that increased traffic, impatience and the rush to meet end-of-year demands often contribute to road crashes.

“The ember months are characterised by increased vehicular movement, impatience and rush. I want to appeal to all road users that no journey is worth your life. Obedience to traffic rules is not for OYRTMA; it is for your own safety,” he said.

The OYRTMA Chairman further cautioned motorists against traffic light violations, driving against traffic, overloading and driving under the influence of alcohol, stressing that such acts endanger not only the drivers but also other innocent road users.

He specifically urged commercial drivers to shun reckless driving and prioritise the safety of passengers over financial gains.

“Do not drink and drive. Do not carry overload. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition. If you are tired, please park and rest. We want every road user to get home safely to their loved ones,” he said.

The campaign, themed “Safe Road, Safe Life: Drive Responsibly During These Ember Months,” is aimed at raising public awareness about road safety and reducing traffic-related accidents across the State.

The awareness rally traversed major parts of Ibadan metropolis, including Agodi, Mokola, Ojoo, Iwo Road, Dugbe, Eleyele, Ona-Ara, Mapo, Egbeda, Akobo, Olodo and Akinyele.

The Authority disclosed that the campaign also extended to the outskirts of Ibadan and other zones of the State, including Ogbomoso, Oyo, Eruwa, Saki and Iseyin.

As part of efforts to broaden public sensitisation, OYRTMA said advocacy visits were conducted at mosques during Jumat services on Friday and churches during Sunday services.

Maj. Adekoya assured that the campaign would continue throughout the ember months, expressing optimism that sustained public awareness and compliance with traffic regulations would help safeguard lives and property and ensure a peaceful and accident-free end-of-year celebration for motorists and their loved ones.

E-signed:

Prince Dotun Oyelade,

Commissioner for Information,

Oyo State.

The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) has rejected claims that its fines are “cut-throat” and place an undue burden on motorists, saying the penalties are necessary to deter dangerous driving and save lives on the State’s roads.

The Executive Chairman of the Authority, Major Adesagba Adekoya (rtd), stated this in response to an article by Maroof Asudemade titled, “OYRTMA’s ‘Cut-Throat’ Fines: Makinde’s Government Piles More Burden on Struggling Motorists.”

The OYRTMA chairman said traffic fines were not merely an economic matter but “first and foremost, a matter of life and death”, stressing that the penalties were intended to deter conduct that had cost Oyo State hundreds of lives and left many families with permanent disabilities.

He faulted the article’s comparison of OYRTMA fines with those of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), describing it as “deeply flawed”.

According to him, the FRSC fine schedule cited in the article is rooted in the FRSC (Establishment) Act, 2007, and the National Road Traffic Regulations 2012, with fines such as ₦2,000 for seatbelt violations, ₦3,000 for wrongful overtaking and ₦4,000 for mobile phone use having remained unchanged for decades.

He said the Senate had passed an amendment to the FRSC Act in 2026, proposing increases of up to 300 per cent in some fines, with penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol and speed-limit violations rising from ₦5,000 to ₦100,000. He said the amended Act was awaiting presidential assent, while OYRTMA reviewed its fines in June 2025 to make them a genuine deterrent.

The Chairman also compared OYRTMA’s fines with those of peer agencies in other South-West tates, which according to him, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), under the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018, prescribes up to three years’ imprisonment for driving against traffic, ₦100,000 for driving under the influence, ₦50,000 for driving on restricted routes, and ₦50,000 each for dangerous and reckless driving.

He added that LASTMA had also ordered mandatory psychiatric evaluations for motorists caught driving against traffic, while also,  the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), which is responsible for traffic management and enforcement in Ogun State, also uses measures such as vehicle impoundment, fines, community service, mandatory psychiatric tests for certain route violations and prosecution of offenders.

He said OYRTMA’s fines were in line with, and in some cases lower than, those of its peers, noting that its ₦10,000 fine for wrongful overtaking was significantly lower than Lagos State’s ₦50,000 fine for reckless driving.

Citing road crash data, Major Adekoya (Rtd) said the FRSC recorded 304 crashes in Oyo State in 2024, resulting in 222 deaths and 779 injuries. He also recalled that 146 persons died in road traffic crashes in the state between January and June 2023, while the Oyo State Police Command recorded 351 deaths from 751 auto accidents between January and September of the same year.

He added that OYRTMA’s records showed 195 deaths and 643 injuries from road crashes in the state in 2025.

The chairman cited specific incidents, including the June 24, 2025 multiple crash at Sanyo on the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway involving seven vehicles and claiming five lives. He said the crash was attributed to speeding, wrongful overtaking and loss of control.

He also mentioned a February 2026 incident in which a fuel-laden truck trapped a commercial Nissan Micra against a beverage truck at Iwo Road, Ibadan. He recalled that in December 2024, OYRTMA arrested 1,079 traffic offenders, while seven fatalities, including a nursing mother, were recorded along the Iwo Road-Ojoo stretch of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

“The fine is not the punishment; the fine is the warning. The punishment is the funeral. The punishment is the permanent disability. The punishment is the child who will never see her mother again,” He said.

He rejected suggestions that OYRTMA operates as an arbitrary fining machine, pointing to the Traffic Violation Tribunal constituted by the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA).

He said the tribunal, which commenced sitting in September 2024, is a court of record where offenders are given a fair hearing. In its first session, he said, 27 cases were treated, with some offenders found guilty and fined, while others were discharged without fines.

From September 2024 to July 2025, Adekoya said OYRLEA tribunals tried no fewer than 6,000 traffic offenders and 3,000 environmental offenders.

He added that counsel were available to defend suspects, who could also apply for bail depending on the nature of the offences, while the tribunal collaborates with the Nigerian Bar Association and the Legal Aid Council to ensure access to legal representation.

The OYRTMA Chairman also stressed that the purpose of a fine was deterrence, not revenue generation. Quoting the Road Safety Toolkit developed by the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), he said road rules were more likely to be obeyed when road users believed that non-compliance would result in detection and consequences such as fines or licence cancellation.

He argued that a ₦2,000 fine for failing to wear a seatbelt, an offence he said accounts for 35 per cent of fatal road crashes, was not sufficient deterrence but a minor inconvenience. A ₦10,000 fine, he said, was more likely to make a driver reconsider such behaviour.

“The goal of OYRTMA is compliance, not punishment,” he said, adding that the Oyo State Government under Governor Seyi Makinde had invested in infrastructure, public enlightenment and road safety campaigns, with fines serving as a last resort.

“OYRTMA is not an enemy of the motorist. We are the protectors of the motorist. Every fine we impose is a life we are trying to save. Every offender we bring before the tribunal is a potential crash we are trying to prevent,” he said

He invited the author to visit the tribunal and observe its proceedings, insisting that OYRTMA was “not a cut-throat agency” but “a life-saving agency” committed to protecting lives on the State’s roads.

E-Signed:

Prince Dotun Oyelade,

Hon.Commissioner for Information,

Oyo State

A female officer of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) was allegedly assaulted by a motorist on Friday, October 2, 2026, at the General Gas Command, Ibadan, during road repair operations.

The incident occurred while the Kopek Construction Company was carrying out repairs on damaged sections of the General Gas Bridge. The construction company arrived at about 10:00 a.m. to commence the repair work, leading to the temporary closure of a portion of the road.

To ease traffic movement and prevent congestion, an alternative route was provided, while OYRTMA and officers of the Nigeria Police Force were deployed to strategic diversion points to direct motorists. Most road users complied with the traffic directives and used the designated alternative route.

However, at about 4:05 p.m., a driver of a green Toyota Camry reportedly attempted to pass through the restricted section of the road. The female OYRTMA officer on duty approached the driver and directed him to use the alternative route because of the ongoing construction work.

Rather than complying with the directive, the driver allegedly alighted from his vehicle and repeatedly slapped the officer, who was in full uniform and had been performing her official duties since the morning.

The incident attracted the attention of residents, passersby and other motorists, who intervened to prevent further escalation. Officers of the Nigeria Police Force from Akobo Divisional Police Station also arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect.

The suspect was subsequently taken to Akobo Divisional Police Station, where he was detained pending his arraignment before a court on Monday.

Reacting to the incident, the Executive Chairman of OYRTMA Major Adekoya Adesagba (Rtd), condemned the alleged assault, describing it as unacceptable and stressing that officers deployed to the roads were performing their statutory responsibilities to ensure order and the free flow of traffic.

“This unprovoked attack on our officer is totally unacceptable. Our officers are on the road to serve the public and ensure order, not to be assaulted. We will not tolerate any form of violence against OYRTMA personnel,”Adekoya said

He commended the police, motorists, residents and other witnesses for their prompt intervention, adding that the Authority would continue to monitor the matter and ensure that due legal process was followed.

Adesagba  also urged motorists to cooperate with traffic management personnel, particularly during road construction, diversion and other operations designed to protect road users and facilitate smooth movement.

OYRTMA reiterated its commitment to protecting its personnel while carrying out their official duties and maintaining safety and orderly traffic movement across Oyo State.

A female officer of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) was allegedly assaulted by a motorist on Friday, October 2, 2026, at the General Gas Command, Ibadan, during road repair operations.

The incident occurred while the Kopek Construction Company was carrying out repairs on damaged sections of the General Gas Bridge. The construction company arrived at about 10:00 a.m. to commence the repair work, leading to the temporary closure of a portion of the road.

To ease traffic movement and prevent congestion, an alternative route was provided, while OYRTMA and officers of the Nigeria Police Force were deployed to strategic diversion points to direct motorists. Most road users complied with the traffic directives and used the designated alternative route.

However, at about 4:05 p.m., a driver of a green Toyota Camry reportedly attempted to pass through the restricted section of the road. The female OYRTMA officer on duty approached the driver and directed him to use the alternative route because of the ongoing construction work.

Rather than complying with the directive, the driver allegedly alighted from his vehicle and repeatedly slapped the officer, who was in full uniform and had been performing her official duties since the morning.

The incident attracted the attention of residents, passersby and other motorists, who intervened to prevent further escalation. Officers of the Nigeria Police Force from Akobo Divisional Police Station also arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect.

The suspect was subsequently taken to Akobo Divisional Police Station, where he was detained pending his arraignment before a court on Monday.

Reacting to the incident, the Executive Chairman of OYRTMA Major Adekoya Adesagba (Rtd), condemned the alleged assault, describing it as unacceptable and stressing that officers deployed to the roads were performing their statutory responsibilities to ensure order and the free flow of traffic.

“This unprovoked attack on our officer is totally unacceptable. Our officers are on the road to serve the public and ensure order, not to be assaulted. We will not tolerate any form of violence against OYRTMA personnel,”Adekoya said

He commended the police, motorists, residents and other witnesses for their prompt intervention, adding that the Authority would continue to monitor the matter and ensure that due legal process was followed.

Adesagba also urged motorists to cooperate with traffic management personnel, particularly during road construction, diversion and other operations designed to protect road users and facilitate smooth movement.

OYRTMA reiterated its commitment to protecting its personnel while carrying out their official duties and maintaining safety and orderly traffic movement across Oyo State.

The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) has announced temporary traffic diversions and road closures ahead of the BOYE NATION/JAF Movement Concert scheduled to hold on Monday, September 21, 2026.

The Chairman of OYRTMA, Major Adekoya Adesagba (Rtd.), disclosed this while addressing journalists at the Authority’s headquarters, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, on Saturday.

He explained that the measures were designed to ensure smooth traffic flow and safeguard motorists, pedestrians and other road users during the event, which is expected to attract a large number of attendees.

Adesagba said VIPs with valid event stickers or entry passes would park at Gate 2, while other guests and attendees would use the Recreation Field opposite Gate 3, Sabo, as the designated parking area. He added that PTS buses would be stationed at the recreation field to convey attendees to the concert venue.

According to him, Gates 1 and 3 would be opened strictly to pedestrians, as vehicles would not be permitted to pass through the two gates. He therefore advised attendees to make use of the designated parking facilities rather than attempting to drive directly to the venue.

The Chairman further announced the temporary closure of roads leading to the stadium to motorists and members of the public who have no business at the venue, urging them to use alternative routes during the period.

He specifically stated that the Danax en route Sabo Recreation Junction and Queen Cinema en route Eko Tedo would be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic between 7:00 a.m and 6:00 p.m on Monday.

Adesagba appealed to motorists, commercial transport operators and residents within the affected areas to plan their journeys ahead and strictly obey traffic signs and directives from OYRTMA personnel deployed to strategic locations.

He explained that the temporary traffic restrictions were necessary due to the expected influx of people to the concert, stressing that the measures were intended to minimise congestion and ensure the safety of all road users.

The OYRTMA Chairman assured members of the public that the Authority would deploy adequate personnel to monitor traffic movement and respond promptly to any challenges that might arise before, during and after the programme.

He therefore urged members of the public to cooperate with OYRTMA and other security agencies, noting that compliance with the traffic arrangements would contribute to the safe and orderly movement of people and vehicles throughout the event.

E-signed:

Prince Dotun Oyelade,

Commissioner for Information,

Oyo State.

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has described the decoration ceremony for 102 newly promoted officers of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) as a testament to quality service delivery and the agency’s steady institutional growth.

Represented by the Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Dr. Olabode Ladipo, at the ceremony held on Thursday at the Local Government Staff Training Hall, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, the Governor congratulated the officers and their families on the milestone.

This was contained in a release signed by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Pastor Sulaimon Olanrewaju and made available to journalists.

He said the decoration reflects the quality of service OYRTMA is known for, noting that the officers had been carefully observed and found worthy of elevation.

Dr. Ladipo added that the promotions further affirm the full integration of OYRTMA into the core civil service structure of Oyo State.

He emphasized that officers advancing to Grade Levels 13, 12, 10 and 9 are now fully recognized within the State’s civil service, and that this development has come to stay.

He expressed optimism that some of the newly promoted officers will rise to the highest levels of service in the coming years.

He commended OYRTMA’s management for its reforms and thanked critical stakeholders for their support, urging the officers to remain diligent in reducing road carnage and promoting safer road use across the State.

Delivering her goodwill message, the Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Adenike Fashina, mni, represented by the General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Service Agency, Venerable Akinyinka Adeyemi, congratulated the officers and encouraged them to sustain their commitment to the State.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of OYRTMA, Major Adekoya Adesagba (Rtd), appreciated Governor Makinde for approving the promotions and for his unwavering commitment to staff welfare.

He explained that the promotions cut across four categories:

* 25 officers elevated from Principal Road Traffic Officer to Assistant Chief Road Traffic Officer (GL 12 to 13);

* 11 officers promoted from Principal Road Traffic Superintendent II to Principal Road Traffic Superintendent I (GL 10 to 12);

* 16 officers upgraded from Road Traffic Superintendent to Principal Road Traffic Superintendent II (GL 9 to 10);

* 50 officers promoted from Road Traffic Officer II to Road Traffic Officer I (GL 8 to 9).

Major Adesagba highlighted key reforms achieved since his appointment in October 2023 to reposition the Authority for greater efficiency.

These include a reformed enforcement philosophy featuring enlightenment sessions for traffic offenders before trial; establishment of OYRTMA Special Marshals and Youth Volunteers, with 100 volunteers inaugurated; creation of the Road Traffic Offences Tribunal in collaboration with the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority; expansion of operational bases across the State; and commissioning of the refurbished Zonal Headquarters in Oyo town.

Other reforms include the recruitment and training of 500 new officers; introduction of the QR Code Jacket policy for over 32,000 commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators in partnership with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT and E Governance; strategic collaborations with the FRSC, Nigeria Police, Amotekun Corps, Operation Burst, VIO and the Park Management System; creation of three additional statutory directorates—Operations and Enforcement; Rescue, Recovery and Incident Management; and Engineering and Logistics—bringing the total to five; and the emergence of OYRTMA as the Best Agency in Oyo State in 2025.

He urged the newly promoted officers to view their elevation as a call to higher responsibility and to redouble their commitment to ensuring free traffic flow, reducing crashes, and promoting a culture of safety as worthy ambassadors of OYRTMA.

The event was attended by the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Ademola Aderinto; Executive Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Kamorudeen Aderibigbe; Chairperson, Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, Hon. Justice Aderonke Aderemi (Rtd); Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, CP Sunday Odukoya (Rtd); former Chairman of OYRTMA, Col. Tayo Olumide Ishola (Rtd); Chairman, Local Government Pension Board, Hon. Ademola Ige; service chiefs and other dignitaries

The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) has commenced the replacement of stolen manhole covers with durable concrete covers at strategic locations across Ibadan, in a move aimed at safeguarding lives and preventing avoidable accidents.

The intervention, carried out on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at Apata, Ibadan, was supervised by the Chairman of OYRTMA, Major Adesagba Adekoya (rtd.), as part of efforts to address the dangers posed by open manholes and damaged sections of roads across the metropolis.

Speaking during the exercise, Major Adekoya said the intervention was part of the agency’s corporate social responsibility, stressing that OYRTMA’s primary concern was to safeguard the lives of motorists, pedestrians, Okada riders and other commuters.

He explained that uncovered manholes constitute serious hazards to road users, particularly at night and during rainfall, adding that the dangerous spot along Apata Road had reportedly contributed to accidents and exposed commuters to significant risks.

According to him, the decision to replace the stolen metal cover with a concrete alternative would provide a more durable solution while reducing the likelihood of vandalism and further theft.

Major Adekoya appealed to residents to desist from vandalising public infrastructure, noting that the removal of manhole covers does not only damage Government property but also puts the lives of innocent road users at risk.

He urged members of the public to promptly report cases of vandalism, uncovered manholes, dangerous potholes and other road hazards to the appropriate authorities for immediate attention.

Major Adekoya further assured residents that OYRTMA would sustain efforts to identify and address traffic-related hazards while working with relevant Government agencies and stakeholders to create safer road environments across the State.

The Area Commander, Oyo Police Force, represented by ASP Okphor Kingsley, commended the OYRTMA management for the intervention, noting that the initiative would contribute significantly to preventing accidents and protecting lives.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Okada Riders Association, BCJ, Unit 3, Apata, Ibadan, Mr. Oluwadamilare Ale, appreciated OYRTMA for the timely intervention, noting that several lives had reportedly been lost in accidents associated with the dangerous spot.

He said the intervention had brought relief to residents, commercial motorcyclists and other road users who had been exposed to danger while navigating the affected section of the road.

E-signed:

Prince Dotun Oyelade,

Commissioner for Information,

Oyo State.

The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), has intensified the enforcement of Governor Seyi Makinde’s Executive Order 002 of 2026 with the impoundment of 32 commercial motorcycles and tricycles operating during prohibited hours in Ibadan.

 The overnight enforcement exercise, led by the Chairman of OYRTMA, Major Adesagba Adekoya (Rtd.), was conducted between 10:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. on Thursday across major parts of the Ibadan metropolis.

 The operation targeted commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators found violating the Executive Order, which restricts their operations to between 5:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. daily.

 Speaking after the exercise, Major Adekoya disclosed that the operation covered key locations, including Agodi Gate, Bodija, University of Ibadan, Sango, Mokola, Dugbe, Ojo, Iwo Road, Challenge and Ring Road.

 He revealed that 22 commercial motorcycles and 10 tricycles were impounded for violating the Government’s directive.

 “The Authority remains committed to ensuring strict compliance, not only with this Executive Order, but also with other traffic rules and regulations across the State,” he stated.

 Major Adekoya commended the professionalism and cooperation of the security agencies that participated in the operation, noting that their collaboration contributed significantly to the success of the exercise.

 He further warned commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators to comply fully with the provisions of Executive Order 002 of 2026, stressing that enforcement operations would continue across the State  until total compliance is achieved.

 The Chairman added that the order was introduced in the interest of public safety, improved security and effective traffic management, therefore urged all transport operators and residents to support the initiative by complying with its provisions.

The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) on Thursday, 16th April 2026, received students from the Department of Transport Planning and Management, Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, Oyo State, on an educational visit to its Headquarters at the Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

The visit was part of the institution’s academic programme designed to expose students to the practical dimensions of traffic management and road safety administration. During the visit, the students were taken through the operational framework of the Authority, where they gained first-hand knowledge of traffic control systems, enforcement strategies, and the critical role of OYRTMA in maintaining safety and orderliness on roads across Oyo State.

Officers of the Authority engaged the students in interactive sessions, offering valuable professional insights, sharing field experiences, and highlighting best practices in modern traffic management. The session also created an avenue for the students to ask questions and deepen their understanding of real-world traffic management challenges.

Speaking on behalf of the Authority, the Chairman, Major Adesagba (Rtd), commended the management of Oke-Ogun Polytechnic for organizing the visit. He described the initiative as a laudable effort toward bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

OYRTMA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting academic institutions through continuous knowledge-sharing initiatives and encouraged the visiting students to remain focused, disciplined, and dedicated to excellence in both their academic and future professional careers.

Date of RTA: 2nd April, 2026

Time of RTA: 2:15 PM

Location: NNPC Filling Station, Eleyele Road

Vehicles Involved:

Toyota Corolla (Reg. No: AGL 424 FV)

Nissan Micra (Reg. No: YNF 820 XA)

Cause of Accident:

Driver distraction

Temporary loss of consciousness

Type of Accident:

Head-on/Real Collision

Casualties:

Injured: 1 person

Fatalities: Nil

Situation Report:

The injured victim has been promptly evacuated to a hospital owned by the accused driver for immediate medical attention. The situation is currently under control.

Officers of OYRTMA swiftly intervened by clearing the damaged vehicles from the roadway to ensure the free flow of traffic. Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force are also present at the scene and have taken over the process of evacuating the vehicles to their station for further investigation.