Fifteen people discovered concealed beneath lorry tarp, motorist imprisoned

A truck driver has been sentenced to a one-month jail term by the Federal Road Safety Corps after its officials discovered 15 concealed passengers under the vehicle's covering during an enforcement operation, highlighting the Corps' commitment to curbing reckless driving practices.

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The discovery was made when marshals inspected a Mitsubishi truck, marked GDD 815 ZP, and lifted a large green cover on the cargo bed, revealing people inside the load area amidst sacks and several motorcycles.

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According to the Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, the truck driver, Umar Muhammadu, was arrested during an inspection of the vehicle, which was intercepted after FRSC personnel became suspicious of its sealed "trampoline" and conducted a closer inspection.

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Upon inspection, marshals found 15 persons and eight motorcycles concealed among goods, a clear violation of road safety regulations, with grave implications for the safety of the occupants and other road users, as stated by Ohaeri.

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Additionally, Muhammadu allegedly attempted to bribe an FRSC marshal with N500 and could not produce a valid driver's licence, leading to his arrest, while the vehicle and its occupants were handed over to the Divisional Police Officer, Mararaba, CSP M. Daniel, for further investigation and prosecution.

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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 driver's licence and absconding with an FRSC arresting marshal while being escorted to court.

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Following a coordinated pursuit involving FRSC personnel and the military, Dominic was reapprehended several kilometres away and subsequently sentenced to one month's imprisonment at Afara Correctional Centre by the court, presided over by His Worship C. E. Nwankpa.

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The FRSC emphasized that these incidents demonstrate its resolve to tackle dangerous traffic practices through intelligence-led enforcement and collaboration with other security agencies, serving as a warning to motorists, particularly commercial vehicle operators.

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The Corps warned against concealing passengers or motorcycles, overloading vehicles, driving without valid licences, and offering inducements to its personnel, stating that it would continue to deploy intelligence, professional enforcement, and Mobile Courts to improve road safety across the country.