The Federal Road Safety Corps has expressed concern over the rising rate of road accidents in the country, revealing that 3,915 people died in 7,715 road crashes recorded between January and September 2025.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed disclosed the figures on Thursday during the National Town Hall Meeting and the official flag-off of the 2025 Ember Months Road Safety Campaign in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The theme of this year’s campaign is “Take Responsibility for Your Safety; Stop Distracted Driving.”
According to Mohammed, the latest statistics signal an increase in both accident cases and fatalities compared to the same period in 2024.
“Crash statistics recorded between January and September 2025 nationwide showed that a total of 7,715 road traffic crashes occurred, representing a 10.04 per cent rise compared to 7,011 crashes recorded within the same period in 2024,” he said.
He added that 24,674 people sustained injuries from the crashes this year, compared to 22,373 injuries recorded in 2024, indicating a 10.28 per cent increase.
“Also, 3,915 persons were killed in 2025 as against 3,811 in 2024, indicating an increase of 11.55 per cent,” he stated.
However, the Corps Marshal noted that Rivers State recorded improvements, with 15 deaths and 51 injuries from 47 crashes within the period under review.
This, he explained, marks a 35.7 per cent reduction in fatalities and a 37.5 per cent decrease in crash-related injuries from 2024 figures.
Mohammed attributed the improvement in the state to stronger emergency response systems and heightened road safety awareness campaigns.
“These national records are an alarming reminder that road crashes can destroy families, weaken communities, and impose severe socio-economic burdens on our nation,” he warned.
“I therefore call on every road user to demonstrate caution, discipline, and vigilance while on the highways.”
He said the decision to hold the Ember Months campaign launch in Rivers State was deliberate, given the state’s role as a major transportation hub.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Benibo Anabraba, urged motorists and boat operators to avoid speeding and reckless driving, especially as festive season traffic increases.
“The government has invested in improving road infrastructure, but crashes persist largely due to drivers’ attitudes,” he said.
Fubara also called on unions, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers and the Maritime Workers Union, to intensify sensitisation efforts among their members against drink-driving, negligence and other unsafe practices.
Mohammed assured that the FRSC had already strengthened road safety surveillance, expanded public awareness programmes and deployed more technology-driven monitoring systems in preparation for increased holiday traffic.
