The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered an immediate nationwide crackdown on vehicles operating without registration number plates or with concealed, defaced or altered plate numbers, warning that such vehicles will be impounded as part of efforts to tackle insecurity across Nigeria.
Disu announced the directive on Tuesday afternoon, saying the Nigeria Police Force would no longer tolerate what he described as acts of impunity by motorists who deliberately evade identification.
According to the police chief, security agencies have observed a growing number of vehicles plying roads across the country without proper registration or with number plates deliberately obscured to avoid detection.
“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,” he said.
“This practice is unlawful, irresponsible, and unacceptable.” The IGP declared that the police would begin strict enforcement of existing laws requiring every vehicle on Nigerian roads to display approved registration numbers.
“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.”
He warned that vehicles found violating the directive would be seized and subjected to legal procedures.
“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 police boss argued that vehicle registration goes beyond administrative compliance and plays a critical role in crime prevention and national security.
“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.”
He therefore urged Nigerians to comply with vehicle registration laws and ensure their vehicles are properly documented. “I therefore call on all law-abiding citizens to ensure that their vehicles are duly registered and compliant with the existing regulations.”
Disu also directed Commissioners of Police, tactical commanders and heads of police
formations nationwide to immediately intensify enforcement operations against offenders.
“All Commissioners of Police, tactical commanders, and heads of formation are directed to immediately intensify enforcement operations against unregistered vehicles, and vehicles with concealed registration numbers.” The IGP stressed that the enforcement exercise would apply to all Nigerians without exception.
“There shall 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.”
The directive comes amid growing concerns over rising cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes across the country, with security agencies increasingly identifying unregistered and improperly marked vehicles as tools frequently used by criminal elements to evade tracking and arrest.
