The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has been forced to step in and forcefully debunk a viral report alleging that 120 lives were lost in accidents along the Damaturu–Buni Yadi road, terming the claim "baseless fear-mongering."

In the age of digital information, fake news travels faster than a speeding vehicle. The rumor, which spread like wildfire across social media platforms in Yobe State, painted a picture of a "Highway of Death," claiming a mass casualty event that allegedly wiped out scores of citizens. The magnitude of the lie—120 deaths—was designed to trigger panic and distrust in the safety infrastructure.

The FRSC Yobe Sector Command, led by the Sector Commander, wasted no time in presenting the cold, hard data. Far from a massacre, the official 2025 year-end statistics indicate a significant improvement in road safety. The data reveals a 26% reduction in road traffic crashes compared to the previous year. This statistical victory is being overshadowed by digital falsehoods.

The Anatomy of a Panic

Why do such rumors gain traction? Psychologists suggest that in regions recovering from conflict or instability (like the North East), communities are hyper-sensitive to "disaster narratives." A fabricated story about mass death confirms a pre-existing bias that "things are falling apart," even when the data shows they are getting better.

• The Reality: The road has seen improved patrols and better driver compliance.
• The Danger: Such rumors can lead to commuters avoiding critical trade routes, damaging the local economy.
• The Response: The FRSC has urged the public to verify information through official channels before sharing.

For our readers in Kenya, this sounds all too familiar. The "WhatsApp University" phenomenon, where unverified road carnage reports circulate, often distracts from the real work of road safety. The lesson from Yobe is clear: Data must speak louder than rumors. The road is safer than it was yesterday, and no amount of viral fabrication can change that fact.