By George OPARA
Mr. Olatunji Disu, Tuesday directed Commissioners of Police (CPs) across the country to intensify enforcement operations against unregistered vehicles and vehicles operating with concealed registration numbers.
Disu issued the directive on Tuesday in Abuja during a conference with Strategic Police Managers, comprising officers from the rank of Commissioners of Police and above.
The police boss said the increasing trend of vehicles being driven without registration numbers, as well as those with deliberately obscured number plates, has become a growing concern with serious implications for public safety and national security.
He said the practice of operating vehicles without valid registration numbers, or intentionally concealing, defacing, covering, or altering number plates to avoid identification, is unlawful and would no longer be tolerated by the Nigeria Police Force.
“Let me now address the growing disturbing trend that has several implications for public safety and national security across several parts of the country. We have observed an increasing number of vehicles being driven without registration numbers as well as vehicles whose number plates are deliberately concealed, defaced, covered, or altered in an attempt to evade identification.
“This practice is unlawful, irresponsible, and unacceptable and so, I wish to state unequivocally that from today, the Nigerian Police Force will no longer tolerate such acts of impunity,” Disu said.
The IGP directed that every vehicle operating on Nigerian roads must be properly registered and display approved registration numbers in line with existing laws and regulations.
Disu warned that any vehicle found operating without number plates or with registration numbers that had been deliberately obscured, concealed, or tampered with would face immediate sanctions.
“Every vehicle operating on our roads must be properly registered and must display its approved registration number in accordance with the law,” he said.
He further affirmed that such vehicles would be stopped, grounded, and subjected to appropriate legal procedures.
He averred that vehicle registration goes beyond mere administrative compliance, noting that it remains a key tool in crime prevention, intelligence gathering, and national security efforts.
He explained that criminals, kidnappers, terrorists, and other offenders frequently exploit unregistered vehicles to perpetrate crimes and evade detection by law enforcement agencies.
He directed all Commissioners of Police, Tactical Commanders, and heads of formations nationwide to begin immediate enforcement operations against offenders.
“All CPs, Tactical Commanders, and heads of formation are therefore directed to immediately intensify enforcement operations against unregistered vehicles and those with concealed registration numbers. There shall be no preferential treatment or selective enforcement. The law must be applied equally to all, and anyone who chooses to disregard this directive will face the full consequences of the law,” he said.
The IGP also enjoined law-abiding citizens to ensure full compliance with vehicle registration requirements and advised motorists to properly display approved number plates to avoid sanctions.
Spear News Nigeria gathered that the directive comes amid growing concerns over the use of untraceable vehicles in criminal activities and broader security challenges across the federation.
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