The Federal Road Safety Corps has attributed the deaths of nearly 3,000 people in road traffic crashes across Nigeria in the first half of 2025 to poor road conditions, reckless driving, and vehicle faults.
Speaking at a media briefing during the 2025 Half-Year Strategy Session in Abuja, on Thursday, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, revealed that 5,281 crashes were recorded nationwide between January and June, involving 39,793 individuals, with 2,838 lives lost and 17,818 rescued.
“Available statistics reveal that the first half of 2025 has presented a tough challenge. Between January and June, 5,281 road traffic crashes occurred across the country, involving 39,793 people.
“Sadly, 2,838 lives were lost while 17,818 were rescued. This represents an increase in crashes by 3.9 per cent and a rise in fatalities by 2.2 per cent.
“The total number of people involved in road crashes in the period under review also increased by 8.9 per cent, compared to the same period in 2024,” he stated.
Mohammed also disclosed measures being taken to enforce road traffic compliance among motorists, noting that in the period, FRSC operatives arrested 290,887 traffic offenders for committing 319,798 offences.
“Meanwhile, 250,720 offenders were arrested and 271,895 offences recorded in 2024. This reflects a 16 per cent rise in arrests and a 14.9 per cent increase in offences booked.
“The increase in the percentage of arrests and offences does not reflect FRSC as a weakened institution.
“On the contrary, it affirms that the corps is more vigilant and responsive to ensuring safety through visible enforcement,” he stressed.
Speaking on the development in an exclusive conversation with our correspondent, FRSC spokesman, Olusegun Ogungbemide, disclosed that bad roads and faulty vehicles contributed to the staggering numbers.
He, however, added that indiscipline and reckless driving by some motorists also resulted in fatalities.
“There are many factors responsible for the crashes. The road could be a factor, faulty vehicle, and majorly recklessness and road indiscipline by drivers, mainly as a result of distraction and excessive speeding,” he said.
Ogungbemide, however, stressed efforts by the FRSC, supervised by the Corps Marshal, to curb the number of fatalities, including the training and retraining of FRSC personnel to boost their capacity and effectiveness on the road.
He said the agency also introduced a mobile application designed to empower commuters with real-time road navigation support and safety alerts.
“The FRSC, under Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, has achieved significant progress since he assumed office last year.
“This includes the training and retraining of personnel to enhance service delivery; introduction of a mobile app to assist commuters in navigating roads during transit; and comprehensive road surveys to inform the Ministry of Works and FERMA on necessary interventions.
“There has also been extensive commuter-focused sensitisation on the right to safe travel and the need to speak up when drivers act recklessly.
“Additionally, the Corps has intensified enforcement against excessive speeding through the use of speed-limiting devices, cracked down on distracted driving—such as phone use while driving—and tackled overloading, alongside sustained media advocacy,” Ogungbemide said.
The FRSC spokesman further stated that the Corps Marshal had directed the commanding officers to activate all tools within their states to achieve a safe motoring environment and reduce crashes.
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