THE Nigeria Police Force has commenced a coordinated nationwide enforcement exercise targeting vehicles operating with covered, obscured, altered, defaced or unregistered number plates as part of renewed efforts to strengthen security, improve vehicle identification and curb criminal activities across the country.
News Point Nigeria reports that the operation, which follows a directive by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, is aimed at enhancing public safety and preventing criminals from using untraceable vehicles to evade detection. Several state commands have already begun implementing the directive, warning that violators risk arrest, impoundment of their vehicles and prosecution under relevant laws.
In Kogi State, the Police Command announced the commencement of a statewide operation against vehicles with covered, obscured, unauthorised, defaced or missing registration number plates. In a statement issued on Monday by the command’s spokesperson, ASP Afusat Oyiza, the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and traffic personnel to ensure strict compliance across the state.
Oyiza warned that vehicles found violating the directive would be impounded and subjected to investigation in accordance with extant laws. She urged motorists, transport operators and fleet owners to ensure that their vehicles display valid and clearly visible number plates at all times, while also keeping all vehicle documents updated and available for inspection. According to her, the exercise is a proactive security measure designed to improve crime prevention and strengthen security operations throughout the state.
Similarly, the Delta State Police Command announced the commencement of a statewide enforcement operation against vehicles operating without registration number plates and those using concealed, altered, defaced or unreadable plates. In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the command said the operation was intended to enhance public safety and strengthen law enforcement’s capacity 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.
The command advised motorists to immediately remove any device, sticker, frame or cover obstructing the visibility of their number plates and regularise vehicles operating without valid registration. Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Oyeniyi, also directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Tactical Commanders and patrol teams to ensure strict enforcement of the directive across the state.
He warned that vehicles operating without approved registration plates or with tampered registration details would be impounded and subjected to legal processes.
In Rivers State, the enforcement exercise took a more visible dimension as the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, personally led operations across Port Harcourt and surrounding areas. 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 during the operation and subsequently arraigned before a mobile court sitting at the Police Traffic Section, Mile 1 Divisional Police Headquarters.
Speaking during the exercise, Adepoju said intelligence reports had revealed 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.
The Rivers police commissioner explained that visible registration plates remain critical to crime detection, vehicle recovery efforts and the identification of suspects involved in criminal activities and hit-and-run incidents. He also cautioned officers participating in the operation against extorting motorists, directing that the enforcement exercise be carried out professionally and within the bounds of the law.
Adepoju further clarified that the existing restriction on the operations of tricycles and motorcycles between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. remained in force but does not apply to minibuses popularly known as Keke buses.
According to him, security intelligence had shown that tricycles and motorcycles were frequently used by “one-chance” robbery syndicates, making the restriction necessary.
“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 stated.