FRSC Records 61.29% Drop in Tanker Fatalities, Strengthens Safe-to-Load Enforcement

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced a significant breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to reduce tanker and trailer-related road crashes, recording a 61.29 per cent decline in fatalities and a 15.53 per cent reduction in crash severity index in 2025.

The Corps said the achievements were a direct outcome of the sustained implementation of its Safe-to-Load Programme under the leadership of the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed.

Speaking at the flag-off of the 2026 Technical Training for FRSC Desk Officers at petroleum depots and terminals in Lagos, the Corps Marshal described the development as a validation of the agency’s data-driven enforcement strategy and strengthened inter-agency collaboration.

He explained that the Safe-to-Load Programme, introduced in 2015 in line with Nigeria’s adoption of global standards for the transportation of dangerous goods, has significantly improved compliance within the petroleum haulage sector.

According to him, compliance with Class G Driver’s Licence requirements has risen from 58.2 per cent at inception to 99.4 per cent, while installation of safety components such as API-standard leak-proof systems has increased to 98.3 per cent.

Despite the progress, the Corps Marshal, in a statement issued by Deputy Corps Commander and Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, stressed that FRSC would not relent until it achieves zero fatalities on Nigerian roads.

He warned that any tanker found not to meet Safe-to-Load requirements would be denied loading without exception, adding that all tanker-related crashes would henceforth attract comprehensive investigations covering the entire logistics chain, including depot operators and vehicle owners.

He also condemned persistent violations such as tampering with speed limiting devices and poor vehicle maintenance, describing them as unacceptable threats to public safety.

Reiterating the Corps’ enforcement stance, Shehu Mohammed declared that “the era of impunity on Nigerian roads is over,” noting that the Safe-to-Load Programme had evolved beyond regulation into a national safety imperative.

He urged operators, drivers and stakeholders to ensure full compliance, stressing that every prevented crash represents lives saved, property protected and national resources preserved.

The Corps Marshal also reaffirmed FRSC’s commitment to expanding technology-driven monitoring systems, enhancing staff capacity, and deepening collaboration with key industry stakeholders, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), MEMAN, DAPPMAN, NARTO, NUPENG and IPMAN.