The Federal Road Safety Corps has reported a total of 5,421 deaths from road traffic crashes across Nigeria in 2024, reflecting a 7% increase from the 5,081 fatalities recorded in 2023.
This disclosure was made by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, marking the conclusion of the FRSC’s “Operation Zero Tolerance” special patrol campaign.
Despite a 10% reduction in the total number of road crashes in 2024 — 9,570 incidents compared to 10,617 in 2023 — the rise in fatalities remains a major concern.
“From January to December 2024, we recorded a significant reduction in road traffic crashes and injuries compared to 2023. However, there was a troubling 7% increase in fatalities, which is unacceptable,” Mohammed stated.
The data shows a slight 2% decrease in the number of injuries, with 31,154 people injured in 2024 compared to 31,874 in 2023. However, the total number of people involved in accidents saw a 1% rise, increasing from 70,092 in 2023 to 70,530 in 2024.
One major contributor to the fatalities was the hazardous act of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, which accounted for 411 deaths in 2024 — representing 7.6% of the total fatalities.
“This dangerous practice has become a significant concern,” Mohammed emphasized, urging the public to avoid such activities due to the severe risks involved.
During the FRSC’s special patrol campaign, which ran from December 15, 2024, to January 15, 2025, 402 lives were lost in road accidents.
Among the period’s tragic incidents were five major crashes in Plateau, Abia, Kaduna, Kwara, and Ondo States, including a devastating crash in Jebba, Kwara State, that claimed 30 lives.
Mohammed highlighted that the alarming rate of crashes was primarily driven by human factors such as reckless driving, overloading, fatigue, and inadequate vehicle maintenance.
“Between December 15, 2024, and January 15, 2025, we recorded 531 road crashes nationwide, a 16.2% reduction from the 634 crashes during the same period in 2023. Despite this improvement, the number of fatalities remains a serious concern,” Mohammed said.
The Corps Marshal urged motorists to prioritize safety by adhering to speed limits, avoiding night travel, and refraining from overloading vehicles. He also advised passengers against boarding vehicles designed for goods transportation.
“In this new year, I appeal to motorists and passengers to prioritize safety. Avoid excessive speed, overloading, and boarding trailers or trucks meant for goods. Let us work together to reduce these preventable deaths,” Mohammed cautioned.
He further reiterated the FRSC’s commitment to enhancing road safety through stronger collaborations with the judiciary, improved welfare for staff, and extensive public awareness campaigns.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility. Together, we can make our roads safer for everyone,” Mohammed concluded.
