Insecurity: IGP Orders Police To Impound Vehicles Without Number Plates

THE Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has ordered an immediate nationwide crackdown on vehicles operating without registration number plates, with concealed, defaced or altered plate numbers, warning that such vehicles will be impounded as part of efforts to tackle insecurity across Nigeria.
According to Disu: “Across several parts of our country, we have observed an increasing number of vehicles being driven without registration number, 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.
“I wish to state, unequivocally, that from today, the Nigerian Police Force will no longer tolerate such acts of impunity.
“Every vehicle operating on our roads must be properly registered, and must display its approved registration number in accordance with the law.
“Any vehicle found without number plates or with deliberately obscured, concealed or tampered registration number will be stopped, impounded and subjected to the appropriate legal process.”
The IGP added: “Vehicle registration is not merely an administrative requirement. It is a critical component of crime prevention, intelligence gathering, and national security.
“Criminals, kidnappers, terrorists and other offenders often exploit anonymous vehicles to perpetrate crimes and evade detection.
“I, therefore, call on all law-abiding citizens to ensure that their vehicles are duly registered and compliant with the existing regulations.”
The IGP directed commissioners of Police, tactical commanders and heads of Police
formations nationwide to immediately intensify enforcement operations against offenders, stressing that the enforcement exercise would apply to all Nigerians without exception, as there would 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 consequences prescribed by law.”