'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has disclosed that road traffic crashes claimed 5,421 lives across Nigeria in 2024, marking a seven percent increase compared to the 5,081 fatalities recorded in 2023.
This revelation was made by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, following the conclusion of the Corps’ “Operation Zero Tolerance” special patrol campaign.
Mohammed highlighted that despite the rise in fatalities, there was a 10 percent reduction in the total number of road crashes, with 9,570 incidents recorded in 2024, compared to 10,617 in the previous year. Furthermore, injuries from crashes decreased by two percent, from 31,874 in 2023 to 31,154 in 2024.
However, the total number of individuals involved in accidents rose slightly by one percent, from 70,092 in 2023 to 70,530 in 2024. The Corps Marshal attributed the increase in fatalities to human factors, including reckless driving, overloading, and fatigue, as well as secondary incidents like the scooping of fuel from fallen tankers, which alone claimed 411 lives in 2024.
Between December 15, 2024, and January 15, 2025, the FRSC recorded 531 road crashes, a 16.2 percent reduction compared to 634 crashes during the same period in 2023. Despite this reduction, the period witnessed 402 fatalities, with major incidents occurring in Plateau, Abia, Kaduna, Kwara, and Ondo States.
The most devastating of these was in Jebba, Kwara State, where 30 lives were lost in a single crash. Mohammed noted that 7.6 percent of the year’s fatalities were linked to fuel scooping from crashed tankers, describing the practice as a "grave risk" that must be avoided.
Mohammed cited several factors contributing to the high casualty rate, including: Speed violations, overloading, dangerous driving, loading trailers with passengers, poor vehicle maintenance and fatigue among drivers.
He called on motorists to adhere to speed limits, avoid night travel, and stop overloading vehicles. He also cautioned passengers against boarding trailers and trucks designed for goods transportation.
“The 2024 recorded fatalities are alarming and therefore unacceptable,” Mohammed stated. “Passengers should avoid boarding trailers and trucks meant for goods, including night trips due to the inherent dangers.”
The Corps Marshal reaffirmed the FRSC’s commitment to reducing road traffic crashes and fatalities through collaboration with the judiciary, improved staff welfare, and sustained public sensitisation campaigns.
He assured Nigerians that the Corps would enhance enforcement measures, particularly focusing on dangerous practices such as fuel scooping and overloading.
As Nigeria enters 2025, the FRSC has renewed its call for motorists and passengers to prioritise safety to prevent further loss of lives on the nation’s roads.
