The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has debunked the popular belief that the “ember months” — September to December are naturally associated with evil, misfortunes, or mysterious road accidents.
The Ogun State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Akinwunmi Fasakin, gave the clarification while speaking at the monthly congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Information Chapel, held on Tuesday in Abeokuta.
Speaking on the theme “Safety on Our Roads and the Ember Months Mystery,” Fasakin said that the surge in road crashes during the ember months is not due to spiritual forces or curses, but rather human errors and increased road activity.
“There is no mystery or curse attached to the ember months,” Fasakin said. “The reason we see more road crashes at this time is because of the rise in vehicular movement, economic activities, and people travelling more for business, holidays, and festivities. If people drive responsibly, we can reduce these accidents.”
In Nigeria, the last four months of the year are traditionally seen as dangerous. Many people believe they carry special risks for accidents, crimes, and even deaths. As a result, it is common to see religious gatherings where people pray for protection during this period. However, the FRSC says this fear is based on myths, not facts.
Commander Fasakin explained that the real causes of accidents include overspeeding, reckless driving, overloading, drunk driving, and poor vehicle maintenance. He advised all road users to obey traffic rules and conduct proper checks on their vehicles before setting out on long journeys.
He added, “We urge Nigerians to drop the belief that ember months are cursed. Let us focus on the real causes of road crashes. Accidents don’t happen by luck or bad luck — they are caused by people’s actions or inactions.”
He also stressed that road safety is not the responsibility of the FRSC alone but a shared duty among all Nigerians — drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and policymakers.
The FRSC, he said, will continue to sensitise the public through media campaigns, road shows, and collaborations with stakeholders. He called on journalists and media houses to support the agency by spreading accurate information and safety tips.
“Media remains our strong partner. When journalists help us carry the safety message, we reach more people and save more lives,” Fasakin said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ Ogun State Information Chapel, Comrade Femi Osipitan, praised the FRSC for its ongoing public awareness campaigns. He assured the Corps of the media’s support in educating the public on the importance of safe driving, especially during the ember months.
“The media will continue to partner with the FRSC to promote a culture of safety. We commend your efforts in reducing accidents and saving lives,” Osipitan said.
As Nigerians begin preparations for end-of-year activities, the FRSC is urging everyone to stay alert, maintain their vehicles, obey traffic rules, and avoid night travel whenever possible.
With these steps, Fasakin said, the usual spike in accidents during the ember months can be significantly reduced.
“The goal is to keep our roads safe and ensure that everyone reaches their destination alive,” he concluded.
