Speeding and human recklessness have been identified as major causes of road traffic crashes in Nigeria, with 3,445 persons killed in 7,156 crashes recorded between January and September 2026.
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Shehu Mohammed, disclosed this in an address read by the Anambra Sector Commander, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, at a news conference in Awka to mark the 2026 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
Mohammed said the crashes also left 22,292 persons injured, describing the figures as more than statistics.
“These are not just numbers; they represent human lives lost, families thrown into mourning and communities left in distress,” he said.
He said Nigeria recorded 10,617 road traffic crashes in 2023, resulting in 5,081 deaths and 31,874 injuries.
According to him, crashes reduced by 10 per cent to 9,570 in 2024, but fatalities increased by seven per cent to 5,421, while 31,154 persons sustained injuries.
He said 10,446 crashes were recorded in 2025, claiming 5,289 lives and leaving 33,400 persons injured.
The Corps Marshal said the figures underscored the need for stronger collective efforts to improve road safety and protect vulnerable road users, particularly children and young people.
He said the FRSC had intensified public enlightenment campaigns through churches, mosques, the media and schools, while using data from its Road Traffic Crash Database Management System to identify high-risk areas for enforcement, surveillance and rescue operations.
Mohammed said the 2026 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims was being commemorated under the theme, “A Light That Unites Us”, with the decade’s slogan, “Remember. Support. Act.”
He said the commemoration provided an opportunity to remember persons killed and seriously injured on the roads, acknowledge emergency responders and advocate better support for victims and their families.
Speaking on activities lined up for the commemoration in Anambra, Asekhauno said the command would visit road crash victims in hospitals, conduct sensitisation campaigns in churches, mosques and schools.
She said the programme would also include visits to traditional rulers, engagements with transport operators at motor parks and drug tests for drivers.
“Many families have lost loved ones to road crashes. This is an opportunity to talk to our drivers and other road users about the need to make safety a priority,” she said.
Asekhauno urged motorists to avoid speeding, install speed-limiting devices in their vehicles and refrain from night driving because of poor visibility and the possibility of delayed emergency response.
“We discourage night driving because visibility is poor and at night, there may not be people around to assist crash victims promptly,” she said.
She urged members of the public to use the FRSC emergency line, to report road crashes, noting that delays in accessing emergency assistance could prove fatal.
“Many people, due to lack of prompt assistance, bleed to death before help arrives,” she said.
The Sector Commander also advised pedestrians to observe proper road-crossing procedures and urged all road users to avoid actions that could endanger others.
She expressed concern that despite the FRSC’s efforts, poor attitudes towards road use, fatigue and drinking while driving remained major challenges.
On the ongoing Ember Months operations, Asekhauno said the command was combining public enlightenment with enforcement of traffic regulations to reduce crashes during the festive period.
She said the command was taking enforcement against overloading seriously, noting that the practice was rampant during the period as people transported building materials, goods and livestock alongside passengers in preparation for Christmas celebrations.
“People are buying goods and materials to renovate or build houses and some carry cattle alongside human beings.
“The rush to meet year-end deadlines and targets also creates distractions that could lead to crashes,” she said.
She warned that overloaded goods could become dangerous objects during crashes and cause additional casualties.
“When there is a crash, these loads become weapons that could cause more casualties,” she said.
Asekhauno described the Ember Months as a period of increased human and commercial activities rather than a mysterious period.
“Ember Months are not mysterious months. It is simply a period when too many activities take place at the same time,” she said.
She urged motorists to exercise caution, obey traffic regulations and drive responsibly.
“We want our people to be careful so that we can all remain alive to celebrate Christmas and enter the New Year,” she said.
