The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued a strong warning to its special marshals, urging them to make their personal safety the top priority while performing voluntary duties on Nigeria's roads. The call came during a workshop in Bauchi State, where officials highlighted the increasing dangers faced by road safety volunteers.
Safety First: A New Directive for Volunteers
Deputy Corps Marshal Pauline Olaye, who heads Special Duties and External Relations at the FRSC, described as "saddening" the incidents where volunteers have been knocked down while advocating safety for other road users. Speaking at a one-day workshop for special marshals in Bauchi, Olaye emphasized that ensuring the safety and security of Special Marshals during operations is not just desirable but imperative.
"No one can effectively advocate for safety if they themselves operate in unsafe conditions," she stated. The official, who was represented by Zonal Commanding Officer Yakubu Mohammed, advised marshals to carefully assess their operational environment, noting that some road users have impaired vision or are under the influence of drugs.
"It is not proper to face a vehicle head-on. Your safety comes first," Olaye cautioned the volunteers.
Alarming Road Safety Statistics Revealed
In his remarks, Mohammed praised the special marshals as men and women of proven integrity who dedicate their time, resources, and passion to ensuring safer roads. However, he presented sobering statistics that highlight the scale of the road safety challenge.
Globally, road traffic crashes cause approximately 1.3 million preventable deaths and about 50 million injuries annually, making them the leading cause of death among children and young people. Projections indicate an additional 13 million deaths and 500 million injuries in the next decade, with low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria expected to bear the brunt.
Closer to home, Bauchi State recorded 283 road traffic crashes in 2024, resulting in 152 deaths and 1,402 injuries. "These avoidable deaths are unacceptable. We must all rise to fulfil our mandate of making the roads safe. However, before we can make the roads safe, we must first ensure our own safety and security," Mohammed emphasized.
National Crisis: Rising Road Accidents Across Nigeria
The warning to Bauchi marshals comes against the backdrop of worsening road safety statistics nationwide. FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed revealed that Nigeria recorded 7,715 road traffic crashes between January and September 2025, resulting in 3,915 deaths and 24,674 injuries.
This represents a significant increase compared to the same period in 2024:
- 10.04% increase in crashes
- 11.55% increase in fatalities
- 10.28% increase in injuries
The Corps Marshal made this revelation during the National flag-off of the Ember Month Town Hall Meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He attributed the rise in crashes primarily to human factors, including distracted driving, and called on all road users to demonstrate greater caution, discipline, and vigilance while on the highways.
As FRSC personnel continue to face challenges such as highway insecurity, public apathy, and misinformation, the agency's message remains clear: road safety begins with personal safety, and no life should be lost in the process of saving others.
