In response to surging banditry and recent deadly attacks, the Katsina State Government has unveiled eight new Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), bringing its armored fleet to 43 vehicles, the largest in Nigeria’s northwest region.

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Presented by Acting Governor Faruk Lawal Jobe at a State Security Council meeting, the deployment is part of a broader ₦36 billion investment in security infrastructure and initiatives.

Strengthening Security Infrastructure

The newly added APCs aim to boost rapid response capabilities and enhance operational mobility in challenging terrains, especially in frontline Local Government Areas (LGAs).

With these additions, Katsina now commands the region’s most extensive armored fleet, underscoring its proactive stance against insecurity.

Context: The Alarming Surge in Bandit Attacks

The announcement comes amidst renewed security crises, including a mosque attack in Unguwan Mantau, Malumfashi LGA, where more than 50 worshippers were killed during dawn prayers.

Rapid local resistance and coordinated response secured the release of 76 abductees, a rare silver lining in a region struggling to contain armed attacks.

Katsina’s N36 Billion Security Investment

Governor Jobe confirmed that the armored vehicles are one component of a larger security strategy funded with over ₦36 billion, covering:

• Personnel training
• Equipment procurement
• Surveillance deployment
• Support for Community Watch and Vigilante groups in frontline LGAs

Four of Katsina’s eight frontline LGAs, Jibia, Batsari, Danmusa, and Safana have already seen meaningful gains in security from these efforts.

Federal Coordination & Community Engagement

Governor Jobe declared, “The battle against banditry isn’t over until it’s won. We will not be distracted by the cowardice of these criminals.” He emphasized collaboration with:

• The Nigerian Army, Air Force, Police, DSS
• Local vigilante networks and community watch groups

Federal support, with the Chief of Army Staff scheduled to visit for an on-the-ground security assessment.

Commissioner for Internal Security, Nasiru Mu’azu Danmusa, urged citizens to share intelligence, reinforcing that security must remain community-driven and transparent.

RoadKing.ng Analysis

1. Immediate Impact: The deployment of 8 armored APCs shows resolve but must be paired with sustained patrols, real-time intelligence sharing, and tactical flexibility to remain effective.
2. Terrain Challenges: Katsina’s rural and forested topography demands combined ground-air coordination, yet the state’s investment positions it as a regional security leader.
3. Long-Term Sustainability: Infrastructure investment must extend beyond armoured vehicles to include roads, local security training, and trusted partnerships with federal forces.

In Nigeria, much of the road safety conversation has historically centered on speeding, rightly so, as it accounts for a significant proportion of fatal crashes.

Also Read: Phone Distractions: The Silent Killer on Lagos Roads

Yet, beneath the surface, another epidemic is silently claiming lives at an alarming rate: distracted driving. From drivers scrolling through WhatsApp messages, taking TikTok videos behind the wheel, eating suya on steering, or even adjusting makeup during Lagos traffic, distractions are now proving deadlier than speeding in several regions.

The New Road Killer

Recent World Health Organization (WHO) findings and studies from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) reveal that distracted driving contributes to an estimated 18–22% of serious crashes in Nigeria, rivaling global averages. In states like Lagos, Rivers, and Abuja, distraction-related accidents have doubled in the past five years, often surpassing speed-related crashes during peak traffic hours.

Unlike speeding, which is visible and enforceable via speed guns, distractions are harder to catch. A driver can appear compliant at 50 km/h but is still dangerous if their eyes are on a phone instead of the road.

Real-Life Case Studies

Lekki-Epe Expressway, 2024: A Toyota Corolla driver, distracted while filming a Snapchat video, swerved into an oncoming tanker, resulting in a four-car pile-up that left 3 dead and 7 injured.

Abuja Airport Road, 2023: A banker on a video call veered off the highway into a drainage channel, narrowly escaping death but causing gridlock for hours.

Port Harcourt, 2022: A distracted truck driver eating behind the wheel rammed into roadside traders, killing two instantly.

These stories show the human cost of what many Nigerians still dismiss as “small mistakes.”

Why Nigerians are Easily Distracted Behind the Wheel

1. High Smartphone Usage: Nigeria ranks among the top 10 countries for mobile internet usage in Africa, making phones constant companions.

2. Traffic Stress: With Lagos and Abuja ranked among Africa’s worst congested cities, drivers often use downtime to scroll through social media, not realizing the sudden stop-start risk.

3. Cultural Laxity on Road Laws: While speeding fines exist, few laws directly penalize distracted driving in Nigeria. This gap fuels risky habits.

4. Poor Awareness Campaigns: Unlike campaigns against drunk driving, there is little to no nationwide sensitization on distractions.

Global Comparisons

In the United States, distracted driving kills an estimated 3,000 people annually, prompting states to introduce “hands-free” laws. In South Africa, similar enforcement is now reducing deaths. Nigeria lags far behind in implementing such laws.

The Cost of Distraction

Lives lost: Thousands of preventable deaths yearly.

Economic impact: According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), road crashes drain over ₦450 billion annually from the economy.

Psychological scars: Survivors and families live with trauma long after the accident.

Solutions Nigeria Needs Now

1. Legislation: Urgent introduction of hands-free laws with real penalties for phone use while driving.

2. FRSC Tech Enforcement: Use of dashcams, CCTV, and AI monitoring in cities like Lagos and Abuja.

3. Public Education Campaigns: Nationwide media push similar to the anti-drunk driving campaigns of the 2000s.

4. Corporate Policies: Uber, Bolt, and fleet managers should adopt strict “no distraction” clauses for drivers.

5. Personal Discipline: Drivers must learn that no call, message, or video is worth a human life.

Conclusion

The silent epidemic of distracted driving is fast overtaking speeding as Nigeria’s biggest road killer. If left unchecked, this habit could worsen Nigeria’s already dire road fatality statistics. It is not enough to control speed; Nigeria must also take the war against distraction seriously.

Every day, Lagos roads echo with the blaring horns of impatient drivers, the screech of brakes, and the sirens of ambulances. Beneath the chaos lies a silent but deadly threat: distracted driving caused by phone use.

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Studies show that more than 70% of Lagos drivers admit to texting, browsing, or making calls while driving, a dangerous behavior that continues to claim lives across Nigeria’s busiest city.

This report dives into the scale of the problem, why it persists despite existing laws, and what must change to curb this crisis.

Distracted Driving: The Hidden Epidemic

Driving in Lagos is already a mental workout. Navigating potholes, unpredictable danfo buses, and aggressive okada riders requires full concentration. Yet, thousands of motorists regularly divide their attention between the road and their glowing phone screens.

According to a 2024 FRSC (Federal Road Safety Corps) safety review, distracted driving contributed to nearly 15% of reported crashes in Lagos State. This means that at least one in ten accidents could have been avoided if drivers had kept their eyes on the road.

The reality is simple: a car traveling at 100 km/h covers almost 28 meters in one second. A driver glancing at a WhatsApp notification for just three seconds has effectively driven blind for nearly 85 meters, enough to miss a pedestrian, rear-end another vehicle, or veer into oncoming traffic.

Real-Life Tragedies That Could Have Been Prevented

• Ikorodu Expressway (June 2025): A private car driver lost control while replying to a text. The vehicle rammed into a tricycle, leaving two passengers dead on the spot.
• Third Mainland Bridge (April 2025): Witnesses reported that a commercial bus driver was on a call when he failed to notice traffic building ahead. The bus rear-ended multiple cars, causing a pileup that injured at least six people.
• Lekki–Epe Road (February 2025): A young graduate live-streaming on Instagram while driving lost her life after swerving into a drainage ditch.

These stories are not isolated. They represent an ongoing disaster that remains underreported because most drivers are reluctant to admit being on their phones at the time of an accident.

Why Drivers Still Take the Risk

Despite campaigns, penalties, and road safety warnings, phone use while driving continues. Why?

1. Weak Enforcement: FRSC laws forbid phone use while driving, but enforcement is inconsistent. Many offenders go unpunished or bribe their way out.
2. Addiction to Connectivity: Lagosians are deeply tied to instant communication, often prioritizing calls, business deals, or social media updates over road safety.
3. Underestimation of Risk: Many drivers believe they are skilled enough to multitask, a dangerous illusion that statistics consistently disprove.

The Global Context: Nigeria is Not Alone

Globally, distracted driving is recognized as one of the leading causes of road accidents. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that drivers using phones are four times more likely to be involved in a crash.

Countries like the UK, Australia, and the United States have enforced strict penalties and invested heavily in awareness campaigns. In some cities, cameras automatically detect phone use while driving, ensuring penalties without human intervention. Nigeria, however, is still lagging behind.

Possible Solutions for Lagos and Beyond

To fight this epidemic, a combination of law enforcement, education, and technology must be deployed:

• Automated Surveillance: Install AI-powered cameras on major highways to detect phone use.
• Harsher Penalties: Increase fines and introduce temporary license suspensions for repeat offenders.
• Employer Responsibility: Many drivers multitask on business calls. Employers must be held accountable for insisting employees answer calls while driving.
• Grassroots Campaigns: Churches, mosques, and community groups must be engaged to reframe distracted driving as a moral failure, not just a legal one.
• Technology Aids: Encourage use of hands-free devices and apps that automatically block notifications while driving.

Expert Opinion

Road safety analyst Chinedu Nwosu explains:

“Distracted driving is not just carelessness; it is as dangerous as drunk driving. Until Nigerians accept that, we will continue to lose innocent lives on our highways.”

Conclusion

The Lagos driver’s obsession with the phone has turned steering wheels into ticking time bombs. Each missed call or unread message is less important than the lives lost daily. Until drivers, regulators, and communities unite to treat distracted driving with the urgency it deserves, Lagos roads will remain scenes of unnecessary tragedy.