By: Abdullahi Inuwa
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has officially flagged off its 2025 Ember Months Public Enlightenment and Sensitization Campaign in Katsina State, with a strong call for motorists to “take responsibility” for their own safety and that of others on the road.
Speaking at a press conference in Katsina, the Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Maxwell Lede Kaltungo, emphasized that the annual campaign was designed to curb the usual rise in road crashes associated with the year-end rush.
“The Ember Months are not inherently dangerous. It is our behavior on the roads that makes them so,” Kaltungo said. “This year’s theme — ‘Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving’ — reminds us that road safety begins with personal discipline and attentiveness.”
The campaign, he noted, will focus on tackling common causes of road crashes such as overspeeding, driver fatigue, use of mobile phones while driving, overloading, and non-use of seat belts.
According to FRSC records, the 2024 Operation Zero Tolerance campaign (15th December 2024 – 15th January 2025) recorded 533 crashes nationwide, with 432 deaths and 2,070 injuries. In Katsina State alone, 21 people lost their lives and 167 were injured during the same period.
“Though the figures show improvement compared to previous years, even one life lost is one too many,” Kaltungo lamented. “Every statistic represents a grieving family, a lost breadwinner, and a shattered dream.”
He announced that the command recorded a 13 percent reduction in road traffic fatalities between the second and third quarters of 2025, in line with the FRSC’s corporate strategic goal of achieving a 10 percent nationwide reduction in crashes and injuries through focused interventions.
Kaltungo praised the Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, Ph.D., for his continuous support toward the Corps’ operations and his commitment to road infrastructure development across the state.
“The governor’s investment in road rehabilitation and construction has enhanced safety and reduced travel time. His collaboration and engagement with FRSC remain invaluable,” the commander stated.
The FRSC Sector Command outlined several proactive measures to ensure safer roads during the Ember Months, including:
Deployment of personnel and special marshals along high-risk corridors;
Free vehicle safety checks in collaboration with transport unions;
Motor park rallies and town hall meetings with drivers, traditional rulers, and security agencies;
Intensified public enlightenment campaigns through media and community outreach.
“These initiatives are not merely about enforcement,” Kaltungo said. “They are about transforming attitudes and creating a culture of safety consciousness.”
The commander highlighted the FRSC’s ongoing capacity-building efforts, including partnerships with driving schools, fleet operators, and civil society organizations to improve driver education and compliance.
He also announced that Nigeria will host the International Conference on Road Crash Victims for Africa in November 2025, in partnership with the KRSD Road Safety Foundation, aimed at strengthening post-crash care and advancing the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety.
Kaltungo concluded with a passionate appeal to all road users to drive responsibly and avoid distractions.
“Road crashes are not accidents—they are preventable tragedies,” he said. “Let us make this Ember season one of celebration, not mourning. Let us drive to stay alive.”
He extended appreciation to the Federal Government, particularly the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), for providing policy support and an enabling environment for the Corps’ successes.
As the campaign flags off across Katsina and other states, the FRSC reiterated its commitment to saving lives, ensuring smoother traffic flow, and building a national culture where safety on the road is everyone’s responsibility.
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