Too Many Deaths on Niger Roads, By Hassana Suleiman Kandi

Road transportation remains the most commonly used means of travel in Nigeria. From moving agricultural produce to connecting cities, the road network plays a vital role in the nation’s economy.

However, the over-reliance on roads—coupled with poor infrastructure, reckless driving, and a lack of effective safety measures—has made accidents a recurring tragedy on our highways.

As a student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University in Lapai, Niger State, I frequently travel through the state’s road network.

Each journey comes with fear and uncertainty, knowing that the roads—especially those along the Lapai axis—are becoming increasingly notorious for fatal accidents, many involving heavy-duty vehicles like trailers and tankers.

My observations reveal a troubling reality: in rural communities around Lapai, people engage in intense manual labor, such as cassava and yam processing. Due to a lack of modern machinery and designated spaces, many of these activities spill onto roadside areas, placing residents in direct danger.

The growing number of tanker and trailer movements on these roads—fueled by increased goods importation and interstate commerce—has only worsened the risk.

It is heartbreaking to recount the numerous accidents I have either witnessed or heard about—incidents that have left victims unrecognizable and forced communities to organize mass burials.

According to a recent Daily Trust report, nearly 20 people were killed in tanker-related accidents in Niger within a year, and dozens of vehicles were destroyed by fire or collision. Reckless driving by truck drivers has become a common menace, with tragic consequences.

More recently, the state has recorded at least three deadly crashes that have plunged communities into mourning and fear. In Minna, the state capital, congestion, road violations, and poor traffic management continue to endanger lives.

These persistent problems highlight a dire need for better road safety protocols. While road maintenance is essential, it is not enough. Authorities must do more than patch potholes and repaint faded lines.

There should be a holistic approach that includes strict enforcement of traffic regulations, routine safety checks for heavy-duty vehicles, public awareness campaigns on road safety, designated routes and rest stops for tankers and trailers, and collaboration with local communities to reduce roadside activity hazards.

We urge both federal and state governments, along with agencies like the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), to take concrete steps toward protecting Nigerians from preventable road disasters—especially those involving tankers. Lives must be prioritized over logistics.

*Hassana Suleiman Kandi is a student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State. She can be reached at: kandihassana@gmail.com