FRSC arrests driver after 15 passengers found hidden under truck cover

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has arrested a truck driver after 15 passengers and eight motorcycles were discovered concealed beneath a cover on the vehicle during an enforcement operation.

The truck, a Mitsubishi marked GDD 815 ZP, was intercepted after FRSC officials became suspicious of its sealed cargo covering.

According to the Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, marshals inspected the vehicle and discovered the passengers hidden among goods and motorcycles.

He said the practice posed serious risks to the occupants and other road users and violated road safety regulations.

The driver, identified as Umar Muhammadu, was also accused of attempting to bribe an FRSC marshal with N500 and could not produce a valid driver’s licence.

Muhammadu was arrested, while the truck, passengers and motorcycles were handed over to the Divisional Police Officer in Mararaba, CSP M. Daniel, for further investigation and prosecution.

The action followed a directive from the Sector Commander, RS7.1 FCT, CC Tijjani Iliyasu.

In a separate incident in Abia State, a Mobile Court sentenced a commercial driver, Azubuike Dominic, to one month in prison for driving without a valid licence and escaping while being escorted to court by an FRSC marshal.

Ohaeri said Dominic was later rearrested several kilometres away after FRSC personnel and military officers launched a coordinated pursuit.

The driver was subsequently arraigned before a Mobile Court presided over by His Worship C. E. Nwankpa and sentenced to one month at Afara Correctional Centre.

The FRSC said the two incidents underscored its determination to curb dangerous road practices through intelligence-led enforcement and collaboration with other security agencies.

The Corps warned commercial drivers against concealing passengers or motorcycles, overloading vehicles, driving without valid licences and attempting to bribe enforcement officers.

It added that it would continue to deploy intelligence-led operations, professional enforcement and Mobile Courts to strengthen road safety nationwide.