Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show that Bauchi and Gombe States recorded more road traffic accidents in the Northeastern States in 2023. Borno and Taraba States witnessed lower cases of crashes compared to other states in the region in the period.
The record captured by the agency indicated that in 2023, 1,060 persons were involved in road traffic crashes, resulting in 42 deaths in Adamawa State.
A breakdown of the statistics by quarters revealed that the first quarter saw 272 individuals involved in accidents, with 20 deaths while in the second quarter, 301 people were affected, resulting in 5 deaths. In the third quarter, 160 individuals were involved in accidents, leading to 6 fatalities and lastly, 327 people were involved in the fourth quarter of the year resulting in 11 deaths.
Bauchi State witnessed a total of 2,448 road traffic crashes in the same year, claiming 285 lives, the highest in the list. The first quarter recorded 826 persons involved in accidents, with 139 fatalities whereas in the second quarter, 656 people were affected, resulting in 84 deaths.
The third quarter had 309 people involved leading to 16 deaths while 657 people were involved in the fourth quarter, resulting in 46 deaths.
In Borno State, 942 persons were involved in road traffic incidents in the same year, with 42 fatalities which is the lowest in the list. The first quarter had 115 individuals involved resulting in 9 deaths. In the second quarter, 315 people were affected, with 11 fatalities.
In the third quarter, 199 people were involved, with 17 killed while in the fourth quarter, 313 people were involved with 5 deaths.
There were 1,911 persons recorded as those involved in road traffic crashes in 2023 in Gombe State, with 96 deaths. 394 people were affected in the first quarter, resulting in 26 deaths.
In the second quarter, 388 people were affected, with 30 fatalities whereas in the third quarter, 302 persons were involved in accidents, leading to 11 fatalities. Similarly, 827 people were involved in the fourth quarter, resulting in 29 deaths.
Taraba State recorded 975 that were involved in road traffic crashes in 2023, with 47 killed. The first quarter took 397 persons, with 24 deaths. In the second quarter, 202 people were affected, and 10 deaths.
Road Crash: Gombe Lost 99 People, Over 1,000 Injured in 2023 – FRSC
While in the third quarter, there were 162 victims with no deaths reported. In the fourth quarter, 214 people were involved and 13 persons died.
In Yobe State, a total of 1,402 persons were involved in road traffic crashes in the same year, claiming 101 lives. The first quarter recorded 338 people involved with 26 fatalities. In the second quarter, 438 people were affected, resulting in 32 deaths.
In the third quarter, there were 132 victims captured, with 12 fatalities. Similarly, 494 people were involved in crashes in the fourth quarter with 31 persons dying.
However, there are scores of victims of road crashes that NBS could not capture due to the location of the accidents, the time and on some occasions the prominence.
nevertheless, NBS identified several factors contributing to road crashes in Nigeria. These factors include Speed Violation, Use of Phone While Driving, Tyre Burst, Mechanically Deficient Vehicle, Brake Failure, Overloading, Dangerous Overtaking, Wrongful Overtaking and Dangerous Driving.
Other factors according to the agency include Bad Road Conditions, Route Violations, Road Obstruction Violations, Sleeping on steering, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs, Poor Weather Conditions, Fatigue and Violation of Traffic Signal Lights.
Babaji Usman Babaji is an investigative journalist with over four years of experience, renowned for his impactful reporting on corruption, human rights violations, and holding those in power accountable in Nigeria.
His career is distinguished by participation in numerous media training programs and conferences, which have honed his investigative and reporting skills. Babaji’s data-driven stories have made a significant impact, particularly in Northern Nigeria, shedding light on critical issues and driving meaningful change.
As a reporter under WikkiTimes’ Collaborative Media (CMEDIA) Project, Babaji has led several groundbreaking investigations. He was a 2022 fellow of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and a 2024 Media Foundation for West Africa DPI/DPG fellow. His contributions to accountability journalism earned him a Certificate of Recognition from Xchange Hama Media for impactful community work.
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