The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has released its 2025 road traffic statistics, revealing a rise in road crashes and injuries across Nigeria, despite a slight decline in fatalities.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed said total crashes nationwide rose by 9.2%, from 9,570 in 2024 to 10,446 in 2025. Serious crashes increased by 10.5% to 6,772, while minor crashes jumped 17.5% to 1,066.
The number of people injured also rose by 7.2%, from 31,154 in 2024 to 33,400 in 2025. Fatalities, however, dropped slightly to 5,289 from 5,421 in 2024, representing a 2.4% reduction, which the corps attributed to improved post-crash response, though it fell short of the targeted 10% reduction.
“While this reduction confirms that post-crash interventions are working, the challenge now is prevention, compliance, and deterrence,” Mohammed said.
Traffic offences also surged, with arrests rising 28.3% to 581,332 and offences booked increasing 30.6% to 648,918. The corps attributed the rise to intensified patrols, enhanced surveillance, and stronger enforcement measures.
In 2025, passenger and vehicle movement also increased. Passenger traffic rose from 45.16 million to 47.47 million, while vehicle movements climbed from 3.65 million to 3.74 million. Luxury bus operations expanded from 26,728 to 29,844 trips, covering a total of 4.88 billion kilometres, up from 4.07 billion.
During the December 2025 festive period (Dec 15–Jan 15), total crashes increased 3.4% to 687, with 597 fatalities, up 4.2%, and 2,522 injuries. The number of people rescued without injury rose from 2,697 to 2,792.
Deadly corridors identified included:
Benin–Asaba–Awka: 12 deaths
Zuba–Kaduna–Zaria: 39 deaths
Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Darazo–Potiskum: 49 deaths
Abuja–Lokoja: 28 deaths
Mai Adua–Daura–Kazaure–Dambata: 18 deaths
Enugu–Umuahia–Aba: 11 deaths
Mohammed said the crashes were largely caused by speeding, dangerous overtaking, loss of control, tyre bursts, and brake failure, with speeding alone accounting for 41% of crashes during the festive period.
To tackle the rising trend in 2026, the FRSC announced new policy directives focusing on intelligence-led enforcement, zero tolerance for major traffic offences, and stricter speed management, especially for commercial vehicles.
The corps’ “Big Five” offences—speeding, dangerous driving, drunk or drug-impaired driving, wrong-way driving, and overloading—will be strictly enforced. Speed limit devices on commercial vehicles will be monitored, with public sanctions for non-compliant fleet operators.
Mohammed emphasized that public education will shift from general awareness to behaviour-change campaigns targeting commercial drivers, private motorists, motorcyclists, and fleet operators.
“While post-crash interventions saved lives in 2025, the focus for 2026 will be prevention, compliance, and rigorous enforcement to reduce crashes and fatalities nationwide,” he said.
Elijah Adeyemi
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