Truck driver jailed for hiding 15 passengers under cover

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has sentenced a truck driver to one month in jail after officers found 15 passengers hidden under the truck cover during an operation.

A video shared on the FRSC's official X account on Sunday shows officials checking a Mitsubishi truck with the number plate GDD 815 ZP.

In the video, officers lift a large green cover off the cargo area to reveal people packed inside with sacks and motorcycles.

The Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, shared details in a statement on Saturday. He said the driver, Umar Muhammadu, was caught during a routine inspection.

Ohaeri explained that the vehicle was stopped because FRSC personnel noticed something off about its sealed "trampoline" and decided to take a closer look.

"Under the covering, Marshals found 15 people and eight motorcycles dangerously hidden among goods, clearly breaking road safety rules and risking the safety of everyone on the road," he said.

He also mentioned that Muhammadu tried to bribe an FRSC marshal with N500 and couldn’t show a valid driver’s licence.

The driver was arrested, and the vehicle along with its passengers was handed to the Divisional Police Officer in Mararaba, CSP M. Daniel, for further investigation and legal action. This followed orders from the Sector Commander, RS7.1 FCT, CC Tijjani Iliyasu.

The FRSC stated that this incident shows their commitment to fighting dangerous traffic practices. They are working closely with other security forces to enforce the law.

The Corps warned drivers, especially those driving commercial vehicles, against hiding passengers or motorcycles, overloading, driving without valid licences, and trying to bribe their officials.

They also said they will keep using intelligence and professional enforcement, as well as Mobile Courts, to improve road safety across Nigeria.