Gombe Governor Urges FRSC to Enhance Road Safety Measures
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Gombe State has been urged to improve its operations to ensure safer roads, as highlighted by the Sector Commander of the FRSC, CC Samson Kaura. During a recent event, he emphasized the importance of collective efforts to reduce road accidents and promote safety.
The 2024 Operation Zero, which ran from December 15, 2024, to January 15, 2025, revealed alarming statistics: 17 people were killed, and 221 were injured out of 46 reported road crashes in Gombe State. These figures underscore the urgent need for improved road safety measures.
Kaura spoke during the 2025 Town Hall meeting and the ‘EMBER’ months Road Safety Campaign flag-off, held on November 6, 2025, at Mega Park, Gombe. He pointed out that the major causes of these crashes included driver fatigue, speed, loss of control, use of illegal parks, and non-adherence to safety protocols. He stressed that driver behavior is a critical factor in determining road safety.
He commended the collaborative efforts of the FRSC Management, the State and Local Government, community leaders, and other stakeholders for their commitment to road safety in Gombe State. This partnership has led to a significant improvement in road crash statistics between January 2024 and the third quarter of 2025.
Kaura provided detailed data on the number of crashes, vehicles involved, and injuries and fatalities over the years. For instance, there were 223 crashes in 2024 compared to 233 in 2025, with 315 vehicles involved in 2024 versus 319 in 2025. The number of people involved was 1,717 in 2024 and 1,536 in 2025, while the number of injured was 826 in 2024 and 870 in 2025. Fatalities decreased from 90 in 2024 to 87 in 2025.
The ‘EMBER’ months, which run from September to December each year, are typically marked by increased human and vehicular movement. The theme for this year’s campaign is “Take Responsibility for your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving.” Kaura noted that infractions such as overspeeding, overloading, and using phones while driving have negatively impacted road transportation.
This year’s campaign focuses on raising awareness through various initiatives, including patrol operations, to curb these infractions. He emphasized that road traffic crashes do not discriminate and can affect anyone regardless of background.
Another pressing issue in Nigeria is the mixed loading of animals, goods, and humans in open vehicles, as well as the dangerous practice of scooping highly inflammable substances like premium motor spirit from crash scenes involving trailer fuel tankers. These factors have led to numerous deaths and injuries.
Kaura called on motorists and youths to avoid these hazardous practices and lead lives worthy of emulation. Over the past months, the command has made progress in strategic partnerships and capacity building, including engaging driving schools to improve driver training and tasking fleet operators to meet vehicle safety standards.
Mobile courts and stop-over operations have also been established to address persistent causes of crashes, such as overloading and speed violations, with notable results.
He praised the Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed for his leadership and efforts to overcome challenges related to delays in obtaining driver’s licenses and number plates. The Corps printing facility has been upgraded to print an average of 15,000 driver’s licenses daily, with plans to increase production to clear the backlog before the second week of November 2025.
Plans are also underway for the Corps to implement contactless biometric capture with on-spot printing of licenses, eliminating temporary licenses and creating a digitalized one-stop shop for processing driver’s licenses. This development is expected to resolve delays and other challenges related to national driver’s licenses.
As the lead agency in road traffic management in Nigeria, the FRSC has taken the initiative to sustain the campaign yearly and collaborate with the state government and other stakeholders to ensure road user safety during the EMBER month period and beyond.
In his keynote address, Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya emphasized the need for all stakeholders to support the Corps’ mission of combating road traffic crashes and making highways safe for all. He was represented by Danladi Adamu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport, Gombe State.
The governor highlighted the state government’s commitment to road infrastructure development, noting ongoing and completed projects. However, he stressed that roads alone cannot guarantee safety without the right attitude from road users.
This annual event serves as a vital platform to raise awareness, promote attitudinal change, and ensure safety, especially during the EMBER months and the beginning of the new year when traffic volume increases and road crashes become more frequent.
He urged road users and passengers to speak out against reckless driving, emphasizing that every passenger has the right and responsibility to voice concerns about their safety. Safety on roads is a collective responsibility.
The governor expressed concern over the increasing misuse of substances and alcohol among youths, which contributes to preventable road crashes, injuries, and deaths. He called on young people to embrace discipline, responsibility, and care for human life.
The state government will continue to review policies and interventions to identify and address challenges. The well-being and safety of citizens remain a top priority.
While the Gombe State Government will continue to partner with the FRSC, the governor also called on members of the public, transport unions, community leaders, and other stakeholders in the transportation sector to support the Corps in delivering its noble mandate.
He commended the FRSC, particularly the Gombe State Sector Command, for their tireless efforts in sustaining the campaign throughout the year. Their continuous commitment to educating and sensitizing the people of Gombe State and Nigeria at large on the dangers of improper road use is commendable.
On behalf of the Government and the good people of Gombe State, he declared open the town hall meeting and ember months road safety campaign flag-off, with the theme: “Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving.”