Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has commenced a coordinated nationwide enforcement operation targeting vehicles operating with covered, obscured, altered, defaced, fake, or unregistered number plates as part of efforts to strengthen national security and combat criminal activities across the country.
The enforcement exercise, which was directed by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, is aimed at addressing the growing security concerns associated with the use of improperly registered vehicles by criminal elements.
According to a statement issued by the Force Headquarters, the operation will be carried out across all states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with Commissioners of Police and other tactical commanders directed to ensure strict compliance.
The police explained that vehicles with concealed or manipulated registration numbers pose a significant challenge to law enforcement agencies, making it difficult to identify and track suspects involved in criminal activities such as kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, terrorism, and other violent crimes.
Under the enforcement exercise, officers will focus on vehicles operating with covered number plates, altered registration details, fake plate numbers, defaced plates, and vehicles that have not been duly registered in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
The Force noted that proper vehicle identification is a critical component of intelligence gathering, crime prevention, and public safety. It added that the nationwide operation is part of broader efforts to improve security and ensure that all vehicles on Nigerian roads can be easily identified when necessary.
Motorists found violating the regulations may face sanctions, including the impoundment of their vehicles and possible prosecution in accordance with relevant laws.
The police urged all vehicle owners to ensure that their registration documents are up to date and that their number plates remain clearly visible and untampered with at all times.
The NPF also appealed to members of the public to cooperate with law enforcement officers during the exercise and report suspicious vehicles or activities to the nearest police station.
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