ABUJA, Nigeria — A motorist has been convicted and sentenced for the abduction and assault of a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) operative during a routine traffic stop in the capital.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, detailed how the driver of a Toyota Hilux was apprehended after turning violent during a patrol operation along the Kubwa Expressway. The incident, which occurred at a filling station on 30 April, saw an FRSC Marshal unlawfully detained and assaulted by the offender.
The Conviction
Following a swift joint intervention by the patrol team and police personnel, the suspect was arrested and his vehicle impounded. A court subsequently found the driver guilty of the assault and abduction.
The court handed down the following sentence:
- Fine: A payment of ₦72,000 or a three-month prison sentence.
- Restitution: An additional ₦50,000 was awarded as compensation to the assaulted Marshal.
‘Assault on the Rule of Law’
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, praised the restraint shown by his officers despite what he described as severe provocation. He warned that any violence directed at traffic enforcement personnel constitutes a direct attack on public safety.
“The Corps remains committed to enforcing traffic regulations with firmness and civility,” Mr Mohammed said, adding that motorists must respect the human rights of officers on duty.
Call for Cooperation
The FRSC urged the Nigerian public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies, stressing that compliance with traffic laws is essential for road safety. The agency reaffirmed its partnership with the judiciary to ensure that individuals who obstruct or attack public officers face the full weight of the law.
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