Road Crashes Kill More Nigerians Than Terrorism, Banditry — FRSC Boss

The Kano State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Umar Matazu, has expressed concern over the rising number of fatalities from road traffic accidents in Nigeria, revealing that they claim more lives than terrorism and banditry combined.

Matazu shared these alarming statistics during a courtesy visit to the newly elected leadership of the Kano State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Tuesday. He pointed out that the scale of road accident fatalities far exceeds that of violent acts carried out by terrorists and bandits.

“The number of lives lost in road traffic accidents far surpasses those lost to terrorism, banditry, and other forms of criminal activity,” Matazu stated. “While terrorist attacks rarely claim more than 10 lives, a single traffic crash can wipe out over 40 people. From October this year to date, the fatalities from road crashes have been more than those resulting from terrorist activities or banditry,” he explained.

Matazu emphasized the critical role of the media in spreading awareness about road safety, calling for more attention to the issue. He pointed out that ignorance and illiteracy contribute significantly to the high number of accidents on Nigerian roads.

“Journalists have a key role to play in educating the public on the importance of adhering to traffic regulations,” Matazu urged. He also stressed the responsibility of passengers in ensuring that reckless driving is reported, as they are often the ones who suffer the most in such incidents.

Recognizing that traditional public enlightenment efforts, such as those conducted in motor parks, have lost their effectiveness, Matazu shared that the FRSC is adopting new strategies. These include organizing town hall meetings with various stakeholders to further educate Nigerians on road safety.

The Chairman of the NUJ Kano Council, Suleiman Dederi, represented by Vice Chairman Mustapha Gambo, assured the FRSC of the Council's support in its ongoing efforts to enhance road safety. He also praised the cordial relationship between the NUJ and the FRSC and called for its continuation.