- Says between January-September 2025, 3,915 people killed in 7,715 RTC cases, 24,674 injured
Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has declared that in 2024, a total of 5,421 people were killed and another 31,154 injured in 9,570 Road Traffic Crashes (RTC) cases across the country.
He further stated that between January and September, 2025, a total of 3,915 people were killed in 7,715 RTC cases, with 24,674 persons injured.
The record was contained in text of address the Corps Marshal delivered on Sunday at the commemorative Church Service for the International Road Crash Victims, Africa Conference in commemoration of the 2025 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Crash victims held at the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) Centre Church, Hospital Road, Bauchi, on 16th November, 2025.
The Corps Marsha lamented that Africa is more impacted in road crashes due to her huge and growing population while Nigeria, being the largest country in black Africa suffers more of the devastating effect of Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) due to her young population.
Shehu Mohammed was represented by the Sector Commander, RS12.1, Bauchi, CC Apaji Danladi Boyi, accompanied by other FRSC Officers and Special Marshals members.
He disclosed that the theme for this year’s World Day of Remembrance for RTC Victims is ‘Lost Talent’ stressing that the theme was carefully crafted to emphasize on the gruesome effect of losing an important figure in a family.
He stressed that, “Road traffic crashes lead to a significant loss of talent and human potential globally, as they are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years. The communication campaign for the 2025 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Crash Victims centres on highlighting the potential lost with each life.”
The Corps Marshal added that “series of activities line up to commemoration the World Day of Remembrance for road crash victims aim at raising awareness, honour victims, and mobilize action toward reducing road fatalities using events such as candlelight procession, community walks, art exhibitions, commemorative church service, among others.”
The objectives of the year 2025 World Day of Remembrance for RTCS Victims are to provide a platform for road traffic victims and their families to: remember all people killed and seriously injured on the roads: acknowledge the crucial work of the emergency services and draw attention to the generally trivial legal response to culpable road deaths and injuries and advocate for an appropriately serious response.
It is also to advocate for better support for road traffic victims and victim families; and promote evidence-based actions to prevent and eventually stop further road traffic deaths and injuries as well as encourages people to remember victims, support their families, and take action to prevent future crashes.
It is also to ensure long-term goal of the Safe System Approach and to achieve “Vision Zero,” which means ending road traffic deaths and serious injuries.
In keeping with the Corps’ ongoing custom of honoring road crash victims on the World Day of Remembrance, Kwapda’as Road Safety Demand (KRSD) Foundation and FRSC, the lead agency on road safety administration and traffic management in Nigerin are also organizing a continental forum devoted to road crash victims and reshaping the African road safety agenda through inclusive, community-driven approaches and geared towards championing equity and inclusion in transport safety, as well as supporting fundraising campaign to establish Africa’s first trauma recovery and rehabilitation centre for road crash victims.
He further stated that, “As part of global response to mitigate road traffic crashes, the Federal Road Safety Corps in line with the Safe System Approach developed the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy (NRSS), 2021-2030. Recently, the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, inaugurated the NRSS apex governance structure, the National Road Safety Advisory Council (NaRSAC), which is led by the Vice President and critical members comprising Ministers of Health, Works, Transportation, Finance, Economic Planning and National Development, Science and Technology and six Governors representing each of the six Geo-Political Zones, amongst other members.”
“It is on this premise that the Corps deemed it expedient as always to use this veritable podium to appeal to the conscience and consciousness of road users and road authorities on the need to embrace safe practices in the use of the road. Governments and authorities are called upon to improve véhicular safety through adoption of the Safe System Approach,” he added.
This is to ensure that all road users using the highways will arrive their destinations safely without anyone having, as implied by the theme for this year, any apprehension in the near or far future, to be referred to as ‘Lost Talents’. Please obey all traffic rules and ensure safety requirements especially during the end of the year yuletides, as we advocate for attitudinal change of all drivers, tri-cyclists, cyclists and the general public.
Shehu Mohammed added that, “Furthermore, I wish to assure members of the public that FRSC will continue to work with all Stakeholders to pursue public enlightenment programmes and aggressive enforcement of traffic rules and regulations to serve as deterrence to traffic offenders. I appeal to all the Stakeholders to remain dedicated to the success of a safer motoring environment in Nigeria.”
He then explained that the programme is in commemoration of the Annual Remembrance of Road Traffic Crash Victim initiated by the Resolutions of the Africa Union Executive Council EX.CL./Dec. 682 (XX) of January 2012 and the United Nations Resolution A/60/5 of 26 Oct. 2005.
He added that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in conjunction with Kwapda’as Road Safety Demand (KRSD) Foundation and other relevant stakeholders organized the International Road Crash Victims Africa Conference (IRCVAC-2025) with the theme Gathering Africa and the World for Road Crash Victims; in commemorating the 2025 World Day of Remembrance for Victims of Road Traffic Crashes.
According to him, road safety has evolved to become a global public health issue since 1869 when the first automobile accident occurred. It is indeed sad and unfortunate that more than 90% of road traffic deaths and injuries occurred in middle- and low-income countries despite their low motorization.
Though the global status report published in December 2023 by World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that the number of road traffic deaths fell slightly to 1.19 million, yet the price paid for mobility remains high, and urgeni action is needed if the goal of halving road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030 is to be achieved.
“On this note, we thank the Christians leaders and congregations for the unflinching support provided to ensure the gospel of road safety is preached at every given opportunity,” he added.
The Corps Marshal concluded saying that, “It is our hope that through collective efforts, we would be able to change people’s attitudes to road usage and the hazard that victims of road traffic crashes go through, having at the back of our minds the effect of ‘Losing Talents’.”
The Church Pastor, commended the FRSC personnel for doing everything possible in order to reduce crashes on the roads and keep them safer for users in spite of the dangers and risks involved.
He urged road users to be careful on the roads and obey every traffic rules and regulations in order to have safe journeys.
The Clergyman later prayed for FRSC personnel and Special Marshals as well as for quick recovery for all crash victims receiving treatment across the country.
