The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has secured a one-month jail term for a commercial driver after its personnel uncovered 15 passengers concealed under the cover of a truck during an enforcement operation.
The incident was disclosed by the Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, in a statement issued on Saturday.
A video shared on the FRSC’s official X account on Sunday showed marshals inspecting a Mitsubishi truck marked GDD 815 ZP. The officers were seen removing a large green cover over the cargo bed, where the passengers were discovered hidden among sacks of goods and eight motorcycles.
According to Ohaeri, the truck driver, Umar Muhammadu, was arrested after FRSC personnel became suspicious of the vehicle’s sealed “trampoline” during an inspection.
“Beneath the covering, Marshals discovered 15 persons and eight motorcycles dangerously concealed among goods, in clear violation of road safety regulations and with grave implications for the safety of the occupants and other road users,” he said.
Ohaeri said Muhammadu also allegedly attempted to induce an FRSC marshal with N500 and could not produce a valid driver’s licence.
The driver, vehicle and occupants were subsequently handed over to the Divisional Police Officer, Mararaba, CSP M. Daniel, for further investigation and prosecution, following the directive of the Sector Commander, RS7.1 FCT, CC Tijjani Iliyasu.
In a separate incident in Abia State, an FRSC Mobile Court sentenced a commercial driver, Azubuike Dominic, to one month in prison after he was apprehended for driving without a valid driver’s licence.
The FRSC said Dominic further complicated the case by allegedly absconding with the marshal who had arrested him while they were being escorted to court.
He was later reapprehended several kilometres away following a coordinated pursuit involving FRSC personnel and the military.
Ohaeri said Dominic was subsequently arraigned before the Mobile Court, presided over by His Worship C. E. Nwankpa, and sentenced to one month’s imprisonment at Afara Correctional Centre.
The FRSC said the two incidents underscored its commitment to curbing dangerous traffic practices through intelligence-led enforcement and collaboration with other security agencies.
The Corps warned motorists, particularly commercial vehicle operators, against concealing passengers or motorcycles in vehicles, overloading, driving without valid licences and attempting to induce its personnel.
It added that it would continue to deploy intelligence gathering, professional enforcement and Mobile Courts as part of efforts to improve road safety and protect motorists and other road users across the country.
