The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has reported a 10.04 percent rise in road traffic crashes across Nigeria between January and September 2025, resulting in an 11.55 percent increase in fatalities compared to the same period last year.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed disclosed this in Port Harcourt during the flag-off of the 2025 Ember Months Road Safety Campaign, themed “Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving.”
He revealed that 7,715 crashes were recorded nationwide, up from 7,011 in 2024, with 3,915 deaths compared to 3,811 last year.
The Corps Marshal attributed the increase to distracted driving and reckless behavior by motorists, urging road users to “take personal responsibility for protecting lives and property.”
In Rivers State, however, the FRSC recorded 47 crashes, resulting in 15 deaths and 51 injuries, representing a 35.7 percent drop in fatalities compared to 2024.
Mohammed said Rivers State was chosen for the national campaign flag-off because it serves as one of Nigeria’s busiest transport corridors.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, represented by Secretary to the State Government Dr. Benibo Anabraba, commended the FRSC for its proactive safety measures, stressing that road safety should be a daily commitment, not just a seasonal concern.
“It is worrisome that the Ember Months — a period meant for joyous celebrations — have become synonymous with preventable tragedies,” he said, urging citizens to obey traffic laws and avoid risky behaviors such as overspeeding and drunk driving.
He added that his administration would continue investing in infrastructure and collaborate with security agencies and transport unions to promote safer road and maritime transport across the state.
