In a sobering revelation that underscores the escalating danger on Nigeria’s highways, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has disclosed that no fewer than 2,838 lives were lost, while 17,818 persons were rescued in 5,281 reported road crashes across the country within the first half of 2025.
This was made known by the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Mohammed Shehu, during a press briefing held at the Corps’ Half-Year Strategic Session in Abuja on Thursday.
Shehu stated that the figures represent a 3.9% increase in road crashes and a 2.2% rise in fatalities compared to data recorded within the same period in 2024. He further revealed that the number of individuals involved in these accidents surged by 8.9%, painting a grim picture of the nation’s road safety crisis.
> “These figures are not just statistics; they represent shattered families, lost breadwinners, and irreplaceable human lives,” Shehu lamented.
In terms of enforcement, the Corps recorded a significant spike in road traffic violations. According to the FRSC boss, a total of 290,887 traffic offenders were apprehended for 319,798 violations in the first half of 2025—marking a 16% rise in arrests and a 14.9% increase in recorded offenses, compared to 250,720 offenders and 271,895 offenses in the same period of 2024.
Shehu was quick to clarify that the upsurge in recorded violations should not be misconstrued as a sign of institutional failure.
> “On the contrary, the increase in arrests and booked offenses is a testament to the Corps’ renewed visibility, alertness, and aggressive enforcement drive,” he asserted.
“Let me state unequivocally — the FRSC is not overwhelmed. We are a resilient and committed agency, evolving constantly to meet national safety challenges with professionalism, innovation, and unyielding dedication.”
The Corps Marshal reaffirmed the management’s unwavering commitment to repositioning and strengthening the FRSC across all operational fronts. He emphasized that road safety is not merely a policy priority but a national emergency requiring collective action from all stakeholders.
> “We will continue to deploy advanced strategies, leverage technology, and intensify collaborations to curb the disturbing trend of road carnage in Nigeria,” Shehu concluded.
As the country grapples with worsening road safety indices, the FRSC’s latest figures serve as a dire reminder of the urgent need for improved driving culture, stricter enforcement of traffic laws, and infrastructure reforms across Nigeria’s transportation network.
PIONEER NEWS 