Motorists in Lagos driving vehicles without valid or clearly visible registration number plates will face enforcement action from Monday as the police have declared that they will commence a statewide operation aimed at improving public safety and tracking criminal activities.
The Lagos State Police Command said the exercise, which is in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, is designed to strengthen security across the state and prevent criminal elements from concealing their identities and movements.
The enforcement operation will target vehicles with covered, obscured, unauthorised, defaced or completely missing registration number plates.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the exercise would be supervised by the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, who has directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to ensure strict compliance across their jurisdictions.
“The Lagos State Police Command, in compliance with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police aimed at enhancing public safety, strengthening security, and denying criminal elements the opportunity to conceal their identities and activities, will commence a statewide enforcement exercise against vehicles with covered, obscured, unauthorised, defaced or no registration number plates,” Adebisi stated.
According to him, any vehicle found in violation of the directive would be impounded and subjected to further investigation in line with existing laws and procedures.
“He has directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers across the state to commence enforcement of the directive and ensure full compliance within their respective Areas of Responsibility. Any vehicle found violating the directive will be impounded and subjected to thorough investigation in accordance with extant laws and established procedures,” the police spokesman said.
The command, however, assured law-abiding residents that the operation was not intended to harass or inconvenience motorists but to bolster the state’s security architecture.
“This enforcement exercise is not intended to inconvenience law-abiding motorists. Rather, it is a proactive security measure designed to enhance the capacity of police operatives to identify vehicles, investigate crimes, track criminal suspects, and strengthen the overall security architecture of the state,” Adebisi explained.
He urged motorists, transport operators and fleet managers to ensure that their vehicles carry valid, duly issued and clearly visible registration number plates at all times.
The command also advised vehicle owners to keep all relevant vehicle documents updated and readily available for inspection when required by law enforcement officers.
“Motorists, transport operators, fleet owners and members of the public are advised to ensure that their vehicles carry valid, duly issued and clearly visible registration number plates at all times,” he said.
Reaffirming the commitment of the command to maintaining security across the state, Adebisi said the cooperation of residents remained vital to the success of the initiative.
“The Command remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting lives and property and creating a safer environment for all residents and visitors in the state. The success of this initiative, like all policing efforts, depends largely on the cooperation and support of members of the public,” he added.
He also urged Lagos residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, vehicles and activities to the police through the command’s emergency lines.
“Security is a shared responsibility. We urge residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, vehicles, movements or activities to the police,” Adebisi said.
The statewide operation is expected to commence on Monday, June 15, as part of broader efforts by the Nigeria Police Force to enhance public safety and improve crime detection through effective vehicle identification and monitoring.
