Arson: Bauchi Man Ordered to Pay N150 Million for Burning Down FRSC Patrol Vehicle

In Bauchi State, a man identified as Nasiru Gwallaga has been convicted for the arson of a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) patrol vehicle. The incident took place in Bara village, within Kirfi Local Government Area, back in 2023.

According to the Sector Commander of the FRSC in Bauchi State, Istifanus Ibrahim, who revealed this information during a media briefing on Friday, the convicted individual was ordered to pay N150 million. This amount represents the total value of the patrol vehicle that was destroyed in the fire.

Commander Ibrahim explained further that Nasiru Gwallaga, along with two co-defendants, received an additional sentence of one year in prison each, or in the alternative, a fine of N15,000. These penalties were handed down for the offenses of conspiring to obstruct officers, actively obstructing civil servants in the line of duty, and physically assaulting public officers carrying out their lawful assignments.

The conviction and sentencing were delivered by Justice Safiya Doma of the Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Fadama Mada, Bauchi State, on June 23, 2025.

Moreover, Commander Ibrahim pointed out that Gwallaga was also convicted of inflicting bodily harm on FRSC officials. In addition, he was ordered to pay N170,000 to cover damages for a Samsung Galaxy phone belonging to the then Acting Unit Commander (UC) that was damaged during the incident.

“All of the convicts were directed to pay an extra N50,000, which accounts for the legal expenses incurred by the nominal complainant in prosecuting the case,” the sector commander added.

Justice Safiya Doma emphasized in the judgment that the convicts reserve the right to appeal the verdict at the High Court of Justice within a period of 30 days from the date the ruling was issued.

Commander Ibrahim further stressed that this judgment should stand as a warning to individuals who believe they can take the law into their own hands.

He also urged road users to continue respecting the law, noting that the Federal Road Safety Corps should not be seen as an adversary but rather as a partner dedicated to ensuring that lives and property are protected on Nigeria’s roads.