The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Monday hinted that it recorded a total of 531 road traffic crashes nationwide as against 634 recorded in the same period in 2023 representing a 16.2% reduction.
This was even as he said that a total of 2,129 people were rescued without injuries, representing an 8.2% decrease when compared to the 2,319 rescued in the same period in 2023.
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, gave the hint during a press briefing on the “End of the Year Operation Zero Tolerance Special Patrol, 2024” at the FRSC Headquarters in Abuja.
Giving the result of the 2024 Operation Zero Tolerance Special Patrol, which was conducted from December 15, 2024, to January 15, 2025, the FRSC boss said the corps recorded a total of 531 crashes, 169 fatalities, 287 serious injuries, and 75 minor injuries.
According to him, “There were also five landmark crashes that defined the outcome of the number of road traffic crashes, fatalities, as well as injuries recorded.
“These were: Jing, Shendam in Plateau State on 20 December 2024 killed 11 people, Bende-Ohafia route in Abia State on 22 December 2024 killed 11 people, that of 25 December 2024 on the Kaduna-Abuja expressway that killed 8 passengers and that of Jebba, Kwara State on Thursday 26 December 2024 which claimed 30 lives as well as that of Owo-Ikare route before Ose bridge on 28 December 2024 that led to the death of 13 passengers.”
He further explained that in the comparative analysis of the data obtained between 15 December 2024 to 15 January 2025, as compared with the same period last year.
He said: “The Corps recorded a total of 531 road traffic crashes nationwide as against 634 recorded in the same period in 2023. This represents a 16.2% reduction. More so, a total of 2,129 people were rescued without injuries, representing an 8.2% decrease when compared to the 2,319 rescued in the same period in 2023.
“Meanwhile, the Corps recorded an increase in the total number of people involved, killed as well as injured. Our data showed that within the period under review, 4,586 people were involved in RTC representing a 3.1% increase by comparison with the data of the same period in 2023 which had 4,446 people involved.
“In addition, 402 people were killed in the 2024 exercise. This is against 335 recorded in 2023 signifying a 20% increase. Incidentally, within the period under review, 2,055 people were injured in both 2023 and 2024.”
Giving an analysis of the Corps annual performance, the Corps Marshal said the Corps recorded a reduction in RTCs and injuries in 2024 compared to 2023.
He said: “From January 1 to December 31, 2024, a total of 9,570 road traffic crashes were recorded nationwide. This figure is against 10,617 road traffic crashes recorded in 2023 which signifies a tremendous reduction of 10%.
“Furthermore, 31,154 people were injured in 2024 while 31,874 were injured in 2023 representing a 2% decrease.
“However, the Corps recorded a 7% increase in fatalities as 5,421 people were killed in 2024 while 5,081 people were killed in 2023. Meanwhile, a total of 70,530 people got involved in road traffic crashes in 2024 compared to 70,092 in 2023 signifying an increase of 1%.
“It is pertinent to emphasize at this juncture that, out of the total fatalities that occurred in 2024, 411 deaths, representing 7.6% of the total deaths were not primarily caused by the crashes, but a secondary factor which is the very monster we are fighting today: scooping of fuel from fallen tankers.
“This therefore implies that without the casualties recorded from scooping fuel from crashed tankers, the Corps would have recorded 5,010 deaths in 2024, against 5,081 in 2023 signifying a 1.4% reduction in the total number of people killed.”
Continuing, he disclosed that the corps has developed a multi sectoral approach to curb the recurring incidents of tanker crashes, explosions, and the resulting fatalities.
Muhammed maintained that a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders is underway to tackle the root causes of tanker accidents and explore preventive measures to avert future tragedies.
He said: “A reduction in the overall number of road traffic crashes (RTCs) fatalities have increased due to secondary factors, particularly fuel scooping by individuals at crash sites.
“The issue of fuel tanker crash is not something within the absolute control of the FRSC. It is a multifaceted, multi-sector solution that we can adopt to get it done.
“If you look at the causes, we have the driver, vehicles, owners of the vehicles, mechanical issues, the nature of the tank pre-safety loading and post-safety loading. So, it’s something that FRC alone cannot find a solution to.
“And that is why we are having a stakeholder meeting this week, with all the transport unions and government agencies that have to do with safety, to develop a holistic solution, a multi-sector solution to tackle tanker crashes. And this time around, we were sure we were going to make an impact and then change the narrative.
“And on the scooping of fuel, we are going to engage in more orientation and sensitisation of people. We are going to involve community leaders and other relevant organisations.”
Kasim Sumaina
Follow us on:
