By Tobi Akinyemi, Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has commenced a nationwide enforcement operation targeting vehicles with concealed, defaced, altered or missing number plates as part of efforts to strengthen public safety and curb criminal activities across the country.
The police said the exercise is aimed at enhancing vehicle identification, improving law enforcement capabilities and preventing criminals from exploiting anonymity to perpetrate offences.
In a statement, the Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the operation followed growing concerns over the increasing use of obscured and unauthorised number plates by individuals seeking to evade detection.
According to him, vehicles with covered, damaged, manipulated or absent registration plates pose significant security challenges, making it difficult for security agencies to trace vehicles involved in criminal activities, traffic violations and other unlawful acts.
He stressed that the enforcement drive is in line with existing traffic regulations and national security objectives, warning motorists against any act that compromises the visibility and authenticity of vehicle registration numbers.
“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to ensuring strict compliance with laws governing vehicle registration and identification. Concealed or defaced number plates undermine public safety and impede effective policing,” he said.
Adejobi noted that police commands and formations across the federation have been directed to intensify surveillance and conduct routine checks on roads and highways to identify offending vehicles.
Motorists found violating the regulations, he said, would face appropriate sanctions in accordance with extant laws.
The police spokesperson urged vehicle owners to ensure that their number plates are properly displayed, clearly visible and free from any form of obstruction, alteration or damage.
He also called on members of the public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies by reporting suspicious vehicles and activities that may threaten public safety.
Security experts have repeatedly warned that the use of concealed or fake number plates has become a common tactic among criminal elements involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, car theft and other organised crimes.
The latest operation forms part of broader efforts by the police to improve intelligence gathering, strengthen crime prevention measures and enhance road safety nationwide.
The Force assured law-abiding citizens that the exercise is not intended to inconvenience motorists but to reinforce security and ensure that vehicles operating on Nigerian roads can be easily identified when necessary.
