The Corps Marshall of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed has revealed that 10,081 people died in roads accidents in Nigeria between 2023 and 2024.
These numbers were involved in 20, 187 accidents that occurred across the country within the two years under review.
The FRSC Corps Marshall made the disclosure while briefing journalists on Monday in Abuja in a ceremony to mark the conclusion of the Corps’ “Operation Zero Tolerance” special patrol campaign.
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According to Mohammed, 5,421 people were killed in road traffic crashes across Nigeria in 2024, while 5,081 were killed in road accidents in 2023.
The Corps Marshall disclosed that despite a 10% drop in the number of road accidents in year 2024, there was more fatalities recorded within the year. Mohammed disclosed that, while 9,570 accidents were recorded in 2024 and in 2023, 10,617 accidents were recorded.
Further data according the FRSC boss indicates that the total number of people involved in accidents increased by one per cent, from 70,092 in 2023 to 70,530 in 2024.
The Corps Marshall also revealed that petrol tanker fire contributed 411 fatalities to road accidents in 2024 alone.
According to Mohammed, “Analysis of our annual performance indicates that from January to December 2024, the corps recorded a drastic reduction in road traffic crashes as well as in the number of people injured when compared to the annual record of 2023.
“From 1st January to 31st December 2024, a total of 9,570 road traffic crashes were recorded nationwide. This figure is against 10,617 road traffic crashes recorded in 2023 which signifies a tremendous reduction of 10 percent.
“Furthermore, 31,154 people were injured in 2024 while 31,874 were injured in 2023 representing a two percent decrease. However, the Corps recorded a seven per cent increase in fatalities as 5,421 people were killed in 2024 while 5,081 people were killed in 2023.
“Meanwhile, a total of 70,530 people got involved in road traffic crashes in 2024 compared to 70,092 in 2023 signifying an increase of one per cent. It is pertinent to emphasize at this juncture that, out of the total fatalities that occurred in 2024, 411 deaths, representing 7.6 per cent of the total deaths were not primarily caused by the crashes but a secondary factor which is the very monster we are fighting today: scooping of fuel from fallen tankers.”
Mohammed also revealed that in one month, December 15, 2024 and January 15, 2025, 531 people died on road accidents alone.
He said:
“Between 15 December 2024 to 15 January 2025, the Corps recorded a total of 531 road traffic crashes nationwide as against 634 recorded in the same period in 2023. This represents a 16.2 per cent reduction.
“On this note, I wish to reiterate that the alarming rate of crashes and fatalities occurred as a result of loading of trailers with passengers, goods and persons, fatigue, speed violation, overloading, dangerous driving as well as poor vehicle maintenance within the period under review.
“The 2024 recorded fatalities are alarming and therefore unacceptable. The situation is worrisome, especially, in cases of unprecedented fatalities as a result of scooping of petroleum products from crashed tankers (Niger and Jigawa in perspective).”
“In this beginning year 2025, I wish to caution motorists and travelers to avoid excessive speed and overloading as much as possible. “Passengers should avoid boarding trailers and trucks meant for goods; including night trips due to the inherent dangers.”