IG directive: Police launch crackdown on unregistered number plates

The Nigeria Police Force has commenced a coordinated enforcement exercise across the country, targeting vehicles operating with covered, obscured, altered, defaced or unregistered number plates as part of efforts to strengthen security and curb criminal activities.

The exercise, which follows a directive by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, is aimed at enhancing public safety, improving vehicle identification and preventing criminals from using untraceable vehicles to evade detection.

In Kogi State, the police command said it had begun a statewide operation against vehicles with covered, obscured, unauthorised, defaced or missing registration number plates.

A statement issued on Monday by the command’s spokesperson, ASP Afusat Oyiza, said the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and traffic personnel to ensure full compliance across the state.

She warned that vehicles found in violation would be impounded and subjected to investigation in accordance with extant laws.

Oyiza urged motorists, transport operators and fleet owners to ensure that their vehicles display valid and clearly visible number plates at all times and that all relevant documents are up to date and available for inspection.

She described the exercise as a proactive security measure designed to improve crime prevention and strengthen security operations across the state.

Similarly, the Delta State Police Command announced the commencement of a statewide enforcement operation against vehicles without registration number plates and those with concealed, altered, defaced or unreadable plates.

In a statement signed by the PPRO, SP Bright Edafe, the command said the operation was intended to enhance public safety and strengthen law enforcement’s ability to identify vehicles, prevent crime and apprehend offenders.

“The command notes that vehicles without registration number plates or those deliberately concealed pose a significant security risk, as they are often difficult to trace and may be exploited by criminal elements to evade detection,” the statement said.

It advised motorists to remove any device, sticker, frame or cover obstructing the visibility of their number plates and immediately regularise vehicles operating without valid registration.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Oyeniyi, directed Area Commanders, DPOs, Tactical Commanders and patrol teams to ensure strict enforcement across the state.

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He warned that vehicles without approved registration plates or with tampered registration details would be impounded and subjected to legal processes.

In Rivers State, the CP, Olugbenga Adepoju, personally led enforcement operations in Port Harcourt and its environs.

Accompanied by officers of the State Traffic Department and members of the command’s management team, Adepoju monitored compliance at strategic locations, including GRA Junction along Aba Road and Ikwerre Road.

Several offenders were arrested and arraigned before a mobile court sitting at the Police Traffic Section, Mile 1 Divisional Police Headquarters.

Speaking during the exercise, Adepoju said intelligence reports indicated that vehicles with obscured or unregistered number plates were frequently used in criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery and the transportation of illegal arms.

“Vehicles operating without registration plates or with covered or obscured number plates will be impounded and their owners sanctioned accordingly,” he said.

He explained that visible registration plates remain critical to crime detection, vehicle recovery and the identification of suspects involved in criminal activities and hit-and-run incidents.

The Rivers police commissioner also cautioned officers against extorting motorists during the enforcement exercise and directed that the operation be carried out professionally.

Adepoju further clarified that the existing restriction on the operations of tricycles and motorcycles between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. did not apply to minibuses, popularly known as Keke buses.

According to him, security data showed that tricycles and motorcycles were frequently used by “one-chance” robbery syndicates, necessitating the restriction.

“We do not want to inconvenience members of the public. Therefore, Keke buses are allowed to operate after 10 p.m., although they will be closely monitored by security personnel. The restriction applies only to tricycles and motorcycles,” he said.