More than 1,300 people were killed and 8,575 others injured in road traffic crashes across Nigeria in the first quarter of 2026, despite a slight decline in the total number of accidents, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The latest road transport data showed that 2,720 crashes were recorded between January and March 2026, representing a marginal 0.40 percent decline from the 2,731 crashes reported in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Although fewer crashes were recorded, the human toll remained high. The report showed that 1,347 people lost their lives during the quarter, while 8,575 sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Adult males accounted for the highest number of casualties. They made up 73 per cent of all injuries, with 6,293 cases, and 78 per cent of fatalities, with 1,045 deaths. Adult females recorded 1,800 injuries and 231 deaths, while male and female children accounted for 254 and 228 injuries and 31 and 40 deaths, respectively.
The report also highlighted the dominant role of commercial vehicles in road crashes. Of the 4,078 vehicles involved in accidents during the quarter, 2,929 were commercial vehicles, representing 71.82 per cent of the total. Private vehicles accounted for 1,089 cases, while government-owned vehicles were involved in 60 crashes. No diplomatic vehicle was involved in any reported accident.
Cars recorded the highest number of vehicles involved in crashes at 954, followed by motorcycles (845), minibuses (733), trucks (643), trailers (256), and tricycles (213). Other vehicle categories included pick-up vans, SUVs, tankers, luxury buses, vans, and bicycles.
The figures underscore the persistent road safety challenge in Nigeria, particularly within the commercial transport sector, where unsafe driving practices, high traffic volumes and poor vehicle conditions continue to contribute significantly to crashes, injuries and deaths despite the marginal decline in overall accidents.
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