By Matthew Johnson
The Lagos State Police Command has commenced the enforcement of the ban on covered, unauthorized vehicle registration number plates across the state, with about 50 vehicles already impounded on the first day of the exercise.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani, disclosed this during the enforcement operation Tuesday, he said the command had earlier issued warnings to motorists but had now moved to full enforcement in line with directives from the Inspector-General of police, IGP, Olatunji Disu.
Lagos police boss disclosed that about 50 vehicles had already been impounded and taken to the command headquarters, while additional offenders were being processed at divisional and area command levels.
Tijani warned that offenders risk prosecution, stressing that the exercise was not a one-off operation but a continuous one aimed at improving security and crime detection.
He explained that concealed or absent number plates pose significant security threats because criminals often exploit such vehicles to perpetrate crimes without being traced.
Tijani said : “We have been warning motorists since last week to display their number plates properly and stop covering them. Today, we have begun enforcement. This morning, myself and my officers went out and arrested motorists who failed to fix their plate numbers or deliberately covered them and also give directives to area commanders in different divisions in Lagos to impound vehicles going against the laws.
“There are no exceptions apart from those exempted by law. The law will take its course. There is every possibility of prosecution to serve as a deterrent to others.
“There are many dangers inherent in not using number plates or covering them. Criminals can use such vehicles for criminal activities, and road surveillance cameras will be unable to identify them. Even stolen vehicles become difficult to track. This is why we are taking this enforcement seriously.” Tijani said.