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Nigeria to host first African road crash victims’ conference

Published

5 months ago

September 23, 2025

The Federal Road Safety Corps, in collaboration with the Kwapda’as Road Safety Demand Foundation, has unveiled plans to host the inaugural International Road Crash Victims’ Advocacy Conference in Nigeria, scheduled for November 2025.

Speaking at a press conference held at the FRSC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed stressed the need to shift global road safety conversations toward the realities of low- and middle-income countries, especially in Africa.

“And over the years, even when we are taking global health and safety conferences, the emphasis is more on the high-income countries, not what is being considered for the road traffic crash victims.

“That is why FRSC and KRSD Foundation came together to stage an African conference that will bring in technocrats, professionals, experts in road transport, traffic, and safety management and administration all over the world to come and showcase our country, our continent and our city, Abuja,” Mohammed said.

The FRSC Boss highlighted the humanitarian cost of traffic accidents, especially on families.

“The victims of road traffic crashes have suffered a lot. The most worried souls are the women and children left behind. The children were left or cared for, or kept.

“Some dropped out of school and joined drugs and criminal activities, while the women are also left in abject poverty or hunger. And we felt we shouldn’t continue like this,” he noted.

According to Mohammed, the initiative aligns with the administration of President Bola Tinubu, whose government is focused on improving the quality of life and economic development.

“That is why the two partners, FRSC and KRSD, came together to support his administration to make this international conference a reality in Abuja.”

Also speaking at the press briefing, the Founder of the KRSD Foundation and President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, formally announced IRCVAC 2025 as part of the Foundation’s 14th anniversary.

The KRSD Foundation, founded on September 30, 2011, was established in memory of her late son and has since become a leading voice for road crash victims in Nigeria and beyond.

She stated that the conference, themed “Gathering Africa and the World for Road Crash Victims,” will be the first African event specifically dedicated to those affected by road crashes.

“This theme reflects our determination to bring together governments, private organisations, civil society, victims’ groups, and the global road safety community to act decisively in reducing the heavy toll of road crashes in Africa,” she said.

Pre-conference activities will commence on November 15, featuring a cycling event, a walk, and a golf tournament—symbolic gestures to promote safer, healthier mobility and express solidarity with victims.

Citing data from the World Health Organization and the National Bureau of Statistics, Dongban-Mensem painted a grim picture of the country’s road safety landscape.

The Founder stated, “The WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023 confirms that Nigeria has one of the highest road traffic death rates in Africa and the world—21.4 deaths per 100,000 population.”

She continued, “This figure is not just a number. It means that thousands of Nigerian families are devastated every year. It is significantly higher than both the global and African averages.”

The Chief Justice underscored that the IRCVAC is not just another conference but a call to action. “It is about giving road crash victims and their families a platform. It is about ensuring their experiences shape solutions and their voices lead change advocacy.”

The conference will also support the global Vision Zero and Safe Systems Approach, which advocates that no death on the road is acceptable and that safety must be embedded in every aspect of transportation systems.

“We know safer roads, vehicles, responsible road use, and stronger post-crash care save lives.

“But to achieve this in Africa, we must mobilize action at scale and ensure that governments, civil society, and the private sector work hand-in-hand,” she said.

Dongban-Mensem urged the public and the media to get involved.

Registration for the International Road Crash Victims’ Advocacy Conference 2025 is open at www.ircvac.com.ng.

The FRSC had reported a continued rise in traffic incidents across Nigeria. Between January and June 2025, the agency recorded 5,281 crashes involving 39,793 individuals, resulting in 2,838 deaths and 17,818 rescues.

The corps revealed that the figures represented a 3.9 percent increase in crashes and a 2.2 percent rise in fatalities compared to the same period in 2024.

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News

Ramadan: Adamawa gov relaxes night-time restriction on tricycles

Published

16 hours ago

February 21, 2026

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The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has approved a review of the existing restriction on the operations of commercial tricycles, known as Keke NAPEP, in parts of the state for the 2026 Ramadan period.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Humwashi Wonosikou, on Friday.

The statement said the restriction, which previously ran from 10pm to 5am would now commence an hour later.

“Under the revised directive, the restriction which previously ran from 10pm to 5am will now commence from 11p to 5am daily throughout the 2026 Ramadan period.

“The review takes immediate effect,” the statement read.

The government explained that the adjustment was introduced to ease movement for Muslim faithful during the holy month.

“The adjustment is intended to allow Muslim faithful attend late-night tafsir sessions with ease during the holy month,” it added.

The statement recalled that the Adamawa State Government had, in February 2021, imposed restrictions on the movement of tricycles and motorcycles through the Adamawa State Restriction of Movement of Tricycles/Motorcycles Executive Order No. 1 of 2021, as part of measures to strengthen public safety and security.

It noted that the latest review reflects the administration’s effort to balance religious observance with security considerations.

“The present review is therefore informed by the Government’s commitment to supporting religious observance, while maintaining the gains recorded in peace and security across the state,” the statement said.

Fintiri also directed security agencies to intensify patrols across the affected local government areas.

“Governor Fintiri has accordingly directed security agencies to intensify patrols, particularly within Yola North, Yola South and Girei, through the deployment of additional personnel to safeguard lives and property.

“He warned that any breach of the law will be dealt with decisively,” the statement added.

The governor further appealed to residents to act responsibly and avoid actions that could undermine the peace and stability currently enjoyed in the state.

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DSS to arraign El-Rufai Feb 25 over alleged cybercrime, security breach

Published

1 day ago

February 20, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Department of State Services (DSS) will on February 25 arraign former Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on alleged cybercrime and breach of national security

LIB had earlier reported that the DSS on Monday, February 16, filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai following his alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

According to the court papers, El-Rufai was alleged to have, on Feb. 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, “admitted during the interview that he and his cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, Mr Ribadu.”

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

In count two, the ex-governor was alleged to have, on February 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, stated during the interview that he knew and related with a certain individual who unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, without reporting the said individual to relevant security agencies.

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

Count three alleged that El-Rufai and others still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety and national security and instilled reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s phone communications.

The DSS said the ex-governor by his own comment during the live interview committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.”

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News

Mob besieges Benin FRSC office

Published

1 day ago

February 20, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Malam Shehu Mohammed, has praised the Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police Force for their swift and decisive response during the recent attack on the Benin Toll Gate Unit Command Office.

The attack occurred on Thursday at the RS5.12 Benin Toll Gate Unit on the Benin–Lagos Expressway, following a crash involving two trucks, the statement said.

One truck driver died in the accident, while FRSC personnel sustained critical injuries, with one officer later succumbing despite urgent medical attention.

“In the aftermath of the crash, an angry mob besieged and vandalised the Unit Command formation. However, the prompt response by security agencies helped to restore order and prevent further escalation,” Mohammed said in a statement issued on Friday by the FRSC spokesman, Olusegun Ogungbemide, in Abuja.

The Corps Marshal condemned the attack on FRSC personnel and facilities as “deeply regrettable and unacceptable,” emphasising that the operatives were on lawful duty to save lives.

He also commiserated with the families of the deceased driver, the fallen officer, and the entire FRSC workforce.

Mohammed has ordered a comprehensive investigation into both the immediate and underlying causes of the crash and the circumstances that led to the mob action.

He assured the public that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice.

The FRSC boss reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to ensuring safer roads for all Nigerians and called on the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and supportive of its activities.

(NAN)

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