411 Lives Lost in Fuel Scooping Incidents in 2024, Says FRSC

By Emmanuel Kwada

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has revealed a disturbing trend in road safety, with 411 Nigerians losing their lives in 2024 while attempting to scoop fuel from fallen tankers. This alarming figure was disclosed by the FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, during a media briefing on the Corps’ 2024 special patrol operations held in Abuja.

According to Mohammed, the FRSC recorded a total of 21,580 traffic offenders arrested across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between January and December 2024. This represents a 26% improvement in compliance with traffic rules and regulations compared to the same period in 2023, when 29,220 offenders were recorded.

Significant decline in road traffic crashes (RTCs), with 9,570 crashes documented in 2024, compared to 10,617 in 2023

The Corps also reported a significant decline in road traffic crashes (RTCs), with 9,570 crashes documented in 2024, compared to 10,617 in 2023. This represents a 10% reduction in RTCs. Additionally, the number of injured persons decreased slightly from 31,874 in 2023 to 31,154 in 2024, reflecting a 2% drop.

However, fatalities rose by 7%, with 5,421 deaths recorded in 2024 compared to 5,081 in the previous year. Mohammed emphasized that 411 of these fatalities, representing 7.6% of total deaths, were not caused by direct crashes but resulted from the dangerous act of scooping fuel from fallen tankers.

Fatalities rose by 7%, with 5,421 deaths recorded in 2024 compared to 5,081 in the previous year

The FRSC Corps Marshal reiterated the Corps’ commitment to addressing such preventable deaths and ensuring safer roads nationwide. He urged Nigerians to exercise caution and avoid risky behaviors, such as scooping fuel from fallen tankers, to prevent unnecessary loss of life.