DEATH OF FRSC OFFICER: TRUCK DRIVER SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT

Lagos, Nigeria, February 7, 2026

A High Court sitting in Lagos State has sentenced one Okpara Kingsley Onyekachi, a truck driver, to life imprisonment for the death of a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officer who was killed while on official duty.

The conviction followed the fatal incident that occurred on 16 November 2023 at Orile-Iganmu, Lagos State, during a routine traffic enforcement operation by an FRSC patrol team.
In a statement issued by the Corps Public Education Officer, Segun Ogungbemide, investigations revealed that the defendant was driving a 40-foot container-laden truck at an excessive speed when he failed to exercise due care on the road. The truck rammed into a stationary mini truck that had been flagged down by FRSC officers for inspection.

The impact of the collision resulted in the crushing and death of an FRSC personnel who was actively discharging official duties at the time of the incident.
Delivering judgment, the court held the defendant fully responsible for the reckless act that led to the loss of life, describing the offence as grave and avoidable.

Reacting to the judgment, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, described the ruling as a landmark decision that sends “a loud and unmistakable message” to all road users, particularly operators of heavy-duty vehicles.
According to him, the sentence underscores the Corps’ resolve and the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring accountability on Nigerian roads, stressing that recklessness, negligence, and disregard for traffic laws will no longer be tolerated.
The Corps Marshal further reaffirmed FRSC’s commitment to protecting the lives of road users and ensuring safer highways across the country.