By Emmanuel Awari, Jalingo
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Taraba Sector Command, has disclosed that 115 road crashes were recorded in Taraba State between January and October 2026, claiming 72 lives and injuring 374 persons.
The Sector Commander, FRSC RS3.3, Taraba Sector Command, CC Anna Attah, disclosed this while briefing journalists in commemoration of the 2026 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, held at the NUJ Press Centre, Jalingo, Taraba State, on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is “A Light that Unites Us,” alongside the global message, “REMEMBER, SUPPORT, ACT.”
According to her, 50 million people have lost their lives in road traffic crashes since the first recorded road death, with hundreds of millions sustaining injuries.
She said it is against this background that the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030 seeks to achieve a 50 percent reduction in road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.
“In 2023, Nigeria recorded 10,617 crashes, resulting in 5,081 deaths and 31,874 injuries. In 2024, crashes reduced to 9,570, representing a 10 percent decline, but fatalities increased by 7 percent to 5,421, while 31,154 persons sustained injuries.
“In 2025, 10,446 crashes were recorded, claiming 5,289 lives and injuring 33,400 persons. Between January and September 2026, 7,156 crashes were recorded, resulting in 3,445 deaths and 22,292 injuries.”
The Sector Commander pointed out that the figures represent more than statistics; they are human lives lost, families shattered and communities thrown into grief. Excessive speed and dangerous driving behaviours remain major contributors to road traffic crashes.
“Road traffic crashes do not happen by accident alone. Many are linked to human errors and deliberate violations of traffic regulations, including excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking, distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, overloading, fatigue, poor vehicle maintenance and disregard for traffic signs and signals,” she said.
She stressed that road safety is both a collective responsibility and a moral obligation, calling on government agencies to strengthen road safety policies and enforcement, transport operators to prioritize safety over profit, drivers to exercise discipline, and passengers and pedestrians to play their part.
She also appreciated the Taraba State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Agbu Kefas and his Cabinet, for the logistical support for FRSC Taraba Sector Command towards ensuring the safety of lives and property in the state.
“Let every driver remember that the vehicle is not a weapon, the highway is not a racetrack, and it is better to arrive safely late than to be late. Because every life matters, every journey counts, and every road user deserves to arrive alive,” she concluded.
