Road Carnage Rises as FRSC Confirms 3,915 Deaths, 24,674 Injuries in 7,715 Crashes Between January and September

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) today, Thursday, November 6, 2025, disclosed grim statistics on road safety, revealing a significant and alarming increase in crashes and fatalities across Nigeria during the first nine months of the year.

The figures were presented by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, during the National Town Hall Meeting and Ember Months Road Safety Campaign Flag-Off in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

According to the official data released, between January and September 2025, a total of 7,715 road traffic crashes (RTCs) were recorded nationwide. These incidents tragically claimed the lives of 3,915 persons and left a staggering 24,674 people with varying degrees of injuries.

The Corps Marshal expressed deep concern that these figures represent a sharp spike compared to the same period in 2024. Road crashes witnessed a 10.04 per cent increase, while the number of injured persons rose by 10.28 per cent. Most critically, the number of fatalities surged by 11.55 per cent compared to the 3,811 deaths recorded last year.

Focus on Distracted Driving

Mohammed described the national statistics as “an alarming reminder that road crashes can destroy families, weaken communities, and impose severe socio-economic burdens on our nation.” He emphasized that the rising trend is predominantly linked to driver behavior, including speeding, non-adherence to traffic rules, and distracted driving.

The 2025 Ember Months campaign, themed “Take Responsibility for Your Safety; Stop Distracted Driving,” is strategically launched to curb the expected surge in road travel and accidents that typically characterize the end-of-year festive season.

While the national outlook is bleak, the Corps Marshal noted a relative improvement in Rivers State, which recorded a 35.7 per cent decrease in fatalities compared to the previous year, attributing the success to heightened awareness and better emergency response in the state. He called on all road users nationwide to demonstrate caution, discipline, and vigilance to reverse the tragic trend.