Oshikoto: The police in the Oshikoto Region have intensified road safety measures and patrols across both urban centres and rural communities in preparation for the busy Easter weekend. All 17 police stations spread throughout the region's 11 constituencies have ramped up operations, conducting heightened patrols within their respective areas of jurisdiction to maintain law and order.

According to Namibia Press Agency, speaking at a busy traffic roadblock at Omuthiya on Tuesday, the Head of the Crime Prevention Division, Deputy Commissioner Wynand Neels, warned that the region is bracing for a major increase in the number of travellers and increased vehicle traffic during the Easter holidays. 'The roads will be exceptionally busy over the coming days. Motorists should expect sporadic road traffic checkpoints all along the B1 highway, as well as at strategic points where vehicles enter and exit the region,' he said.

Neels further explained that police teams will also establish checkpoints on major gravel roads leading to villages and rural settlements. The aim is to ensure the safety of all road users, with special attention given to vulnerable groups such as pedestrians and children. In addition to traffic enforcement, the police are boosting visibility in known crime-prone areas. Particular focus is being placed on curbing the rise in illegal activities, including gender-based violence and alcohol-related assaults, which often spike at popular cuca shops during festive periods.

'Statistics have shown that many pedestrians have unfortunately been run over on our roads in the past. We are therefore actively engaging communities through targeted awareness campaigns to educate them on the dangers of crossing roads without proper caution and safety measures,' Neels emphasised. He added that the police in the region remain committed to ongoing efforts to curb all forms of crime and to create a secure environment for residents and visitors alike.

Neels also issued practical advice to residents planning to travel out of town: 'Please inform the nearest police station if you will be away from home. This allows us to keep a watchful eye on your property, as incidents of theft and housebreaking tend to increase noticeably during holiday periods when many homes are left unoccupied.' The intensified operations form part of the police's broader strategy to promote road safety and crime prevention during high-traffic holiday seasons.