The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) recorded significant achievements in 2024, with 21,580 traffic offenders arrested across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Despite this progress, the year also saw 411 tragic deaths caused by fuel scooping incidents, underscoring ongoing road safety challenges.
Speaking at a press briefing on the 2024 special patrol operations in Abuja, the Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, highlighted the year’s performance.
He reported a notable reduction in traffic violations compared to 2023, when 29,220 offenders were apprehended.
The 2024 figure reflected a 26% increase in compliance with traffic rules. Mohammed stated that the total number of offences committed in 2024 stood at 25,942, representing a 23.5% reduction in traffic law violations compared to the previous year.
The FRSC also reported a significant decline in road traffic crashes (RTCs). According to Mohammed, 9,570 RTCs were recorded nationwide in 2024, compared to 10,617 in 2023, marking a 10% reduction.
The number of people injured also decreased slightly, with 31,154 injuries in 2024 compared to 31,874 in 2023, representing a 2% drop.
However, the number of fatalities rose by 7%, with 5,421 deaths recorded in 2024 compared to 5,081 in 2023.
A substantial portion of the fatalities in 2024 resulted from fuel scooping incidents, where individuals attempted to collect fuel from fallen tankers. Mohammed revealed that 411 deaths, representing 7.6% of the total fatalities, were directly linked to fuel scooping. He described these as preventable losses and emphasized that without these incidents, the death toll would have been reduced to 5,010.
The Corps Marshal commended the progress made in improving road safety but acknowledged the challenges that persist.
He reiterated the FRSC’s commitment to reducing road traffic crashes and preventable deaths in the future.
Mohammed also called on Nigerians to prioritize safety and avoid the dangers associated with fuel scooping, emphasizing the need for public awareness and caution.
As the FRSC looks ahead to 2025, the data reflects both progress and areas requiring urgent action to enhance road safety across the country.