The Benue State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kehinde Dahunsi, has announced a significant decline in road crash fatalities across the state during the 2025 ember months, reporting a 47.6 per cent drop.
Dahunsi disclosed this on Friday while speaking to journalists in Makurdi.
He explained that the figures were compiled from the FRSC’s Ember Month Road Safety Campaign, Operation Zero, which ran from December 15, 2025, to January 15, 2026.
According to him, the ember months are usually characterised by intense vehicular traffic due to festive journeys and increased commercial activities.
The sector commander noted that the 2025/2026 operation came with notable challenges, as several ongoing road construction and rehabilitation projects across Benue State led to diversions, traffic congestion, and higher safety risks for motorists and pedestrians.
Despite these difficulties, Dahunsi said the FRSC command achieved remarkable results through strategic planning, consistent enforcement, effective traffic control, swift rescue responses, and strong cooperation with relevant stakeholders.
He disclosed that the number of road traffic crashes during the period reduced from 41 recorded in the previous ember season to 32, amounting to a 21.9 per cent decrease.
“Fatal crashes declined from 12 to eight, while serious crashes reduced slightly from 20 to 19 and minor crashes saw a sharper drop from nine to five.
“Also, 178 persons were involved in road traffic crashes during the operation, when compared to 196 in the corresponding period of the previous year.
“Of this number, 11 persons lost their lives, while 63 sustained injuries, compared to 88 previously and the number of persons rescued without injury remained constant at 87,” he said.
Dahunsi attributed the positive outcome to increased patrols, visible enforcement measures, and the use of mobile courts, which he said helped improve motorists’ compliance and discouraged traffic offences.
He added that there was a marked improvement in the use of safety devices such as seat belts, crash helmets, and speed-limiting mechanisms among drivers.
The FRSC sector commander further stated that during the operation, a total of 2,028 offenders were arrested for committing 2,128 traffic violations.
He added that 833 vehicles were impounded, while 1,195 valid vehicle documents and national driver’s licences were seized.
However, he raised concerns over lingering issues including excessive speeding, night driving, and disregard for traffic regulations, particularly around road construction areas.
Dahunsi applauded the corps marshal and the FRSC management for their leadership and support, and also commended officers and personnel of the Benue sector command for their commitment and professionalism throughout the exercise.
