The Unité de Police routière de Diffa launched the second phase of its campaign on civic duty and road safety on Sunday, July 5, 2026. The initiative commenced on the esplanade of the Chef de canton palace of Komadougou, marking a significant step in ongoing efforts to enhance public safety. This second phase, officially inaugurated by the Unité de Police routière de Diffa, reflects the collective will of administrative and customary authorities, alongside the Road Police, to strengthen proximity awareness. Its overarching goal is to foster greater population involvement in promoting civic duty and road safety throughout the Diffa region, recognizing that community engagement is key for sustainable impact.
Key Figures Emphasize Responsibility
M. Mahamadou Seyni, Secretary General of the Urban Commune of Diffa, welcomed participants to the event, describing the initiative as "salutary." He stressed the critical importance of adhering to the Highway Code to prevent traffic accidents and ensure the protection of all road users, urging populations to adopt responsible behavior on public roads. M. Seyni also encouraged the Road Police services to continue their vital proximity awareness efforts and called on citizens to cooperate actively with Defense and Security Forces to foster a stronger culture of road civics within the community. Honorable Kazelma Hassan Kazelma Mamadou Abba Kiari, Chef de canton of Komadougou, extended his gratitude to the organizers for selecting his chiefdom to host this important activity. He appealed to all participants to pay close attention to the communications provided during the launch to enhance their understanding of road safety rules and contribute meaningfully to their observance within their respective communities.
Police Unit Outlines Campaign Goals
Officer Mayaki Tahirou Issaka, Commander of the Diffa Road Police Unit, outlined the specific objectives for the campaign's second phase. He emphasized that road safety is not merely a regulatory concern but a collective responsibility, affecting everyone in the community. Commander Issaka advocated for a synergistic approach, noting the importance of partnership, proximity, and cooperation as foundational pillars for success. This collaborative effort, he explained, should involve a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including security forces, administrative and customary authorities, transporters, civil society organizations, and the general population. Commander Issaka stated unequivocally that only a collective and sustainable commitment from all these actors will lead to a significant reduction in traffic accidents and effectively promote civics on the roads. He reiterated that such a unified and sustained effort is key for the campaign's success in promoting safer road practices and fostering a more responsible citizenry across the entire Diffa region.
Community Voices Call for Collaboration
The ceremony brought together a diverse and representative group of administrative and customary authorities, technical service officials, civil society organizations, transporter associations, and various community actors from Diffa, showing the broad support for the initiative. During the event, representatives from several key groups, including COSNAS, various women's associations, heavy goods transporters, and other partner organizations, addressed the attendees. These representatives collectively emphasized the critical need for increased awareness campaigns, enhanced collaboration among all stakeholders, and strict adherence to traffic regulations. They stated that these measures are absolutely essential to significantly reduce traffic accidents and to cultivate responsible citizenship across the region, contributing to a safer and more orderly public space for everyone. Their unified message showed the shared commitment to improving road safety outcomes.