Between January 2023 and September 2026, a total of 19,236 Nigerians lost their lives in 37,789 road traffic accidents recorded across the country, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps. Ngozi Ezeoma, the Sector Commander for the Abia State Command, made this disclosure while presenting official data during a media briefing.
What were the full casualties recorded during this period?
Alongside the fatalities, the data retrieved from the agency's Road Traffic Database Management System showed that 118,720 individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries from the thousands of crashes documented within the nearly four-year timeframe.
Ezeoma released these figures on Monday, November 9, as part of activities preceding the observance of the 2026 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. She emphasized that the figures represent real human experiences rather than mere figures on paper, noting the profound grief left behind in families and communities.
Why do road crashes remain persistent?
Highlighting the primary triggers of these tragedies, the Abia Sector Commander pointed out that excessive speeding and avoidable human negligence continue to be the leading causes of fatal road incidents on Nigerian highways. She cautioned motorists against disregarding speed limits, noting that reckless driving permanently extinguishes precious lives.
How is the agency marking the remembrance day?
As part of events commemorating the UN-backed week dedicated to road crash victims—observed globally during the third week of November—the Abia State Command announced plans to visit survivors receiving treatment in designated hospitals. The outreach aims to offer moral support and share in the recovery journey of those affected by highway accidents.