The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has secured a one-month jail sentence for a commercial driver after its personnel discovered 15 passengers concealed under a truck’s covering during an enforcement operation.
A video shared on the FRSC’s official X account on Sunday showed officers inspecting a Mitsubishi truck marked GDD 815 ZP.
The marshals were seen lifting a large green cover over the truck’s cargo area, where they discovered several people hidden among sacks, goods and motorcycles.
The Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, disclosed the incident in a statement issued on Saturday, explaining that the truck driver, Umar Muhammadu, was arrested during the inspection.
According to Ohaeri, the vehicle was stopped after FRSC personnel became suspicious of its sealed “trampoline” and decided to carry out a thorough 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 added that Muhammadu allegedly attempted to bribe an FRSC marshal with N500 and was unable to present a valid driver’s licence.
The driver was subsequently arrested, while the truck and its occupants were 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 case in Abia State, a Mobile Court sentenced a commercial driver, Azubuike Dominic, to one month in prison after he was arrested for driving without a valid licence and allegedly fled with an FRSC marshal while being taken to court.
Ohaeri said Dominic was later rearrested several kilometres away after FRSC officials and military personnel mounted a coordinated pursuit.
The court, presided over by His Worship C. E. Nwankpa, sentenced Dominic to one month at the Afara Correctional Centre.
The FRSC said the two cases underscored its determination to curb dangerous road practices through intelligence-driven enforcement and collaboration with other security agencies.
The Corps warned motorists, particularly commercial drivers, against concealing passengers or motorcycles, overloading vehicles, driving without valid licences and attempting to induce its personnel.
It added that it would continue to use intelligence, professional enforcement and Mobile Courts to strengthen road safety across the country.