By Mary Izuaka

 

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has intensified its crackdown on reckless commercial driving after Mobile Court convictions in Abia State and an intelligence-led interception in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) uncovered what officials described as “death trap” practices on Nigerian highways.

In two separate operations, FRSC officials secured a one-month jail term for a driver who fled custody in Abia and intercepted a truck in Nyanya, FCT, with 15 people and eight motorcycles concealed under a sealed trampoline.

The FRSC Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, made this known in a statement on Saturday.

Driver jailed after escape attempt

In Abia State, according to the statement, a Mobile Court sitting presided over by His Worship, C. E. Nwankpa, sentenced Azubuike Dominic to one month’s imprisonment at Afara Correctional Centre after he was apprehended for driving a Toyota Hiace commercial vehicle, registration number GWB 298 XY, without a valid driver’s licence and subsequently absconded with an FRSC arresting Marshal while being escorted to court.

Mr Ohaeri said the driver was reapprehended several kilometres away following a coordinated pursuit involving FRSC personnel and the military.

“The development underscores the Corps’ determination that enforcement actions will not be frustrated by attempts to evade lawful arrest or judicial proceedings,” the statement said.

Persons concealed under truck trampoline

Mr Ohaeri said in another striking demonstration of intelligence-led enforcement in Nyanya, FCT, FRSC personnel intercepted a Mitsubishi Canter, registration number GDD 815 ZP, after officers became suspicious of its sealed trampoline covering.

“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.

ALSO READ: Osun Election: FRSC deploys 2,500 personnel, 50 vehicles for safe, orderly movement

“The driver, Umar Muhammadu, who allegedly attempted to induce an FRSC Marshal with N500 and could not produce a valid driver’s licence, was arrested, while the vehicle 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.

“The Corps views these incidents as compelling evidence that its enforcement architecture is moving beyond routine interception to intelligence-led, evidence-based and technology-conscious road safety enforcement, where professional observation and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures are deployed to uncover concealed violations and protect lives,” he said.

He noted that the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, has consistently charged personnel to remain vigilant, professional and uncompromising in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities, while strengthening collaboration with other security and law enforcement agencies.

FRSC warn motorists, particularly commercial vehicle operators, that attempts to evade enforcement, conceal passengers or motorcycles, overload vehicles, drive without valid licences, offer inducements to personnel or otherwise compromise road safety will attract appropriate sanctions under the law.

“The Corps will continue to combine intelligence, professional enforcement, Mobile Courts and strategic inter-agency collaboration to protect road users and make Nigeria’s roads safer, stressing that on the road to a safer Nigeria, there will be no hiding place for reckless and dangerous driving,” the statement said.