By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has disclosed that 5,421 lives were lost to road crashes in 2024, reflecting a 7 per cent increase from the 5,081 deaths recorded in 2023.

This was revealed by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, during a press briefing held on Monday at the FRSC Headquarters in Abuja.

“These numbers are deeply troubling and highlight the need for enhanced road safety enforcement and compliance with traffic regulations,” Mohammed said.

Between December 15, 2024, and January 15, 2025, the FRSC recorded 402 fatalities, a sharp 20 per cent rise compared to the 335 deaths reported during the same period in 2023.

A total of 531 crashes occurred nationwide during this period, with 169 being fatal, 287 classified as serious, and 75 as minor.

Major incidents during the period included a crash in Jebba, Kwara State, on December 26, which claimed 30 lives, and another on the Owo-Ikare route in Ondo State on December 28, resulting in 13 fatalities.

These two incidents, among five other critical crashes, contributed significantly to the toll.

The Corps also highlighted the dangers of fuel scooping, which accounted for 411 deaths in 2024, representing 7.6 per cent of the total fatalities.

Mohammed emphasised the preventable nature of these deaths, announcing plans to intensify public awareness campaigns in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency.

Despite the increase in fatalities, the FRSC reported a 16.2 per cent reduction in the total number of crashes compared to the same period in 2023.

Additionally, 2,129 people were rescued without injuries, although the total number of individuals involved in crashes rose by 3.1 per cent from 4,446 in 2023 to 4,586 in 2024.

Mohammed reiterated the Corps’ commitment to addressing the factors behind the fatalities, including excessive speed, overloading, and night travel.

“These deaths are avoidable, and we must all play our part in making our roads safer,” he said.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to road safety and called for continued support to tackle the challenges on Nigeria’s roads.

The FRSC pledged to sustain its enforcement and public education efforts in 2025, aiming to reduce road traffic crashes and fatalities significantly.