Report shows spike in fatal road crashes in 2025

There are concerns over the growing fatalities from road crashes across the country as data revealed increasing cases in the first quarter of 2025. The first quarter of the year is said to be marked by several tragic incidents, the development described as national tragedy. Between January and March 2025 (Q1), the Federal Road Safety […]

There are concerns over the growing fatalities from road crashes across the country as data revealed increasing cases in the first quarter of 2025.

The first quarter of the year is said to be marked by several tragic incidents, the development described as national tragedy.

Between January and March 2025 (Q1), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) recorded 2,650 crashes, resulting in 1,593 deaths and 9,298 injuries.

Compared to the same period in 2024, the number of fatalities rose by a staggering 8.3%, signalling an increase in the severity of these accidents. Injuries also jumped by 7.4% within the same period.

Among the most deadly corridors was the Jos–Lafia–Makurdi route, where 1,539 lives were lost in the first three months of the year—a chilling reflection of the high-risk nature of certain highways.

Some of the recent examples were the January 11 incident in Plateau State where a bus crash left 19 dead and 11 injured; on January 22 in Ilorin, Kwara State, a trailer-truck collision claimed 18 lives.

While full data for April to June (Q2) has yet to be released by the FRSC, early signs suggest no improvement.

On April 19, Ife–Ilesa Road, Osun State, a collision between a trailer and a Toyota Hilux killed five people, including a child.

On May 5, Abuja–Lokoja highway (Gada‑Biyu), a Peugeot bus tyre burst, plunging into a ditch and killing one person and six injured.

Mr. Patrick Adenusi, Technical Director, Safety Beyond Borders, a road safety non governmental organisation, in an interview identified major causes of accidents to include overloading by tanker drivers, use of alcohol and other dangerous drugs, as well as non-adherence to stipulated loading standard by oil marketing companies.

According to him, the poor condition of the highways, coupled with lack of road signages and fatigue suffered by drivers as a result of long driving time are also responsible for most of the accidents.

Experts have thus called for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations; community-level awareness campaigns on safe driving; immediate repair of damaged roads; mandatory refresher training for commercial drivers, among other measures.