The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, on Monday led an enforcement exercise against vehicles with covered, obscured, and unregistered number plates across Port Harcourt and its environs.
CP Adepoju, accompanied by officers of the State Traffic Department and members of the Command’s management team, monitored compliance at strategic locations, including GRA Junction along Aba Road and Ikwerre Road.
Several offenders were arrested and subsequently arraigned before a mobile court sitting at the Police Traffic Section, Mile 1 Divisional Police Headquarters.
Speaking with journalists during the exercise, Adepoju said the operation was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, aimed at enhancing public safety and preventing criminals from concealing their identities.
He stated, “We are here to ensure that the directive of the Inspector-General of Police is fully complied with.
“Vehicles operating without registration plates or with covered or obscured number plates will be impounded and their owners sanctioned accordingly.”
He said intelligence reports have shown that such vehicles are often used for criminal activities, including the transportation of arms and ammunition, kidnapping operations, and other unlawful acts.
“These vehicles are also involved in hit-and-run incidents. When victims or witnesses attempt to identify them, they are unable to do so because the number plates are either covered or obscured,” CP Adepoju added.
The state Police boss stressed that number plates serve an important purpose in crime detection and vehicle recovery.
“If a vehicle is stolen or used in committing a crime, the number plate helps security agencies track and intercept it. It also makes it easier to recover vehicles that are stolen from where they are parked,” he added.
CP Adepoju noted that some motorists deliberately conceal their registration plates to engage in illegal activities and warned that the Command would ensure strict compliance with the directive.
“This is the first official day of the enforcement exercise, and we are already witnessing a significant level of compliance. We have not encountered many vehicles with covered or unregistered number plates since we commenced the operation,” he said.
He further stated that the Command had previously arrested several violators and expressed optimism that compliance would continue to improve.
The Commissioner acknowledged concerns about possible extortion by police personnel involved in the exercise and warned officers against taking advantage of motorists.
Meanwhile, CP Adepoju clarified that the existing restriction on the operations of tricycles and motorcycles between 10 pm and 6 am does not apply to minibuses, popularly known as Keke buses.
According to him, data available to the Command indicate that tricycles and motorcycles have been frequently used by one-chance robbery syndicates to dispossess residents of their valuables, especially during late-night hours.
“Based on our records, tricycles and motorcycles have consistently been used by one-chance criminals to rob innocent citizens. Consequently, they are prohibited from operating from 10 p.m. until the early hours of the morning,” he explained.
He, however, assured residents that minibuses would continue to operate beyond 10 p.m. to ensure that members of the public are not inconvenienced while commuting at night.
“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,” the Commissioner stated
He also advised members of the public to observe the following precautionary measures to avoid falling victim to “one-chance” criminals:
“Avoid boarding tricycles, motorcycles, or vehicles from isolated or poorly lit locations, especially at night.
“Be cautious of vehicles carrying suspicious or unusually aggressive occupants.”
CP continued, “Avoid entering vehicles with covered or heavily tinted interiors where occupants cannot be clearly identified,* among others.
