Nigeria Records 3,400 Deaths From Road Crashes In Nine Months

…Launches Campaign To Curb Festive Season Fatalities

At least 3,400 people have lost their lives in road crashes across Nigeria between January and September 2025, according to data released by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed disclosed the statistics on Monday in Abuja during a press conference which mark the official flag-off of the 2025 Ember Months Public Enlightenment and Sensitisation Campaign.

“3,433 persons were killed and 22,162 persons injured out of a total of 6,858 reported road crashes between January and September 2025,” Mohammed stated.

He attributed the alarming figures to reckless human behaviour, adding that the major causes of the crashes were driver fatigue, overloading of passengers, conveyance of persons in haulage vehicles, and travelling with fuel in plastic containers.

“Apparently, driver behaviour is a fundamental element in determining safety on our highways. It is expected that the 2025 end-of-year campaign will create the needed awareness and sensitisation for drivers to take up the issue of safety more seriously,” he added.

This year’s campaign, themed “Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving,” aims to reduce the surge in crashes typically recorded during the festive season, between December 15 and January 15.

The Corps Marshal explained that the FRSC would intensify advocacy and sensitisation efforts, focusing on driver responsibility—identified as the root cause of most road accidents.

FRSC outlined a set of strategic measures, to tackle the recurring menace which include:

1. Deployment of personnel and Special Marshals along major highways and high-risk corridors.
2. Free vehicle checks nationwide.
3. Motor park rallies and town hall meetings with transport unions and stakeholders.

“These measures, in addition to our routine enforcement operations, are designed to raise awareness against reckless driving usually associated with the ember months.

“It is also expected that the implementation of these measures will significantly reduce the percentage of occurrence of road crashes and drive down road crash-related deaths and injuries,” Mohammed said.

Mohammed said the Corps has made progress in other aspects of road safety, through improved driver training via closer collaboration with driving schools and fleet operators.

He also announced the reactivation of mobile courts and road stop-overs to address infractions such as overloading and speeding, noting that these interventions will ensure on-the-spot justice and deterrence.

Also, the FRSC relaunched its Annual Lecture Series, aimed at fostering national dialogue on road safety as a public health concern.

“The initiative has provided critical perspectives on global best practices,” the Corps Marshal noted.

Mohammed revealed that plans are in advanced stages to host an International Conference on Road Crash Victims in Africa, slated for November 16–18, 2025.

The event, being organised in partnership with the KRSD Road Safety Foundation, will focus on improving post-crash care in line with the fifth pillar of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety.

“I urge all Nigerians to continue to support the Corps as we strive to create a safer motoring environment for our dear nation,” Mohammed said, while declaring the 2025 Ember Months Campaign open.