The Nigeria Police Force will Monday begin a crackdown on vehicles used by criminals to cover their tracks.
In Lagos, the State Police Command will begin a statewide impoundment exercise of vehicles with covered, obscured, unauthorized, defaced, or no registration number plates from Monday.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi disclosed that the exercise is in compliance with the directives of the Inspector‑General of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu, and is aimed at enhancing public safety.
“It would also help strengthen security and prevent criminal elements from concealing their identities while carrying out unlawful activities,” she said.
She said that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Tijani, had directed officers across the state to enforce the directive and ensure compliance within their jurisdictions.
“CP Tijani has directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers across the state to begin enforcement of the directive and ensure full compliance within their respective areas of responsibility.
“The commissioner further ordered that any vehicle found violating the directive should be impounded and subjected to thorough investigation in accordance with extant laws and established procedures,” she said.
Adebisi explained that the exercise was not intended to inconvenience law-abiding motorists, but aimed at improving crime detection, tracking suspects and strengthening security across the state.
Also Read: Police sends DIGs to the field in security rejig
The PPRO advised motorists, transport operators and fleet owners to ensure that their vehicles carry valid, duly issued and clearly visible registration number plates at all times.
She urged vehicle owners to ensure that all relevant vehicle documents were up-to-date and readily available for inspection when required.
The image maker reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protect lives, property and create a safer environment for residents and visitors in the state.
The spokesperson called on the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, vehicles, movements or activities through the command’s emergency lines: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, and 09168630929.
In Kwara State, the Police Command has announced a statewide enforcement exercise against vehicles with covered, obscured, unauthorised, defaced, altered or missing registration number plates from Monday.
According to the Command, the operation is in compliance with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, and is aimed at strengthening public safety by preventing criminal elements from using unregistered or concealed vehicles to hide their identities and operations.
The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Ojo Adekimi, has directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and the State Traffic Officer to immediately begin full enforcement across their respective areas and ensure total compliance with the directive.
The police said any vehicle found in violation would be impounded and subjected to thorough investigation in line with extant laws and established procedures. The Command also stressed that there would be no exemption or special consideration for any individual or organisation, regardless of status or influence.
It advised motorists and vehicle owners to remove any covering or obstruction on their number plates and ensure that only duly issued, valid and clearly visible registration plates are displayed on their vehicles at all times. Vehicle owners were also urged to keep their documents current and readily available for inspection.
The Command said the exercise is not intended to inconvenience law-abiding citizens but is a proactive security measure designed to improve vehicle identification, aid criminal investigations, track fleeing suspects and strengthen the overall security framework in the state.
It warned that anyone who deliberately covers, tampers with, alters or operates a vehicle without proper registration number plates would face the full weight of the law, adding that enforcement officers had been directed to carry out the exercise professionally, impartially and without fear or favour.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and called on residents to support the initiative in the interest of public safety. Members of the public were also encouraged to report suspicious persons, vehicles, movements or activities through the emergency lines: 0703 206 9501 and 0812 527 5046.
NAN
