Edo Police Move Against Vehicles with Covered Number Plates

The Edo State Police Command has announced a statewide crackdown on vehicles operating with covered, altered, defaced, obscured or completely missing registration number plates, warning that violators risk arrest and impoundment of their vehicles.

The Command said the enforcement drive was in line with a directive from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Rilwan Disu, to strengthen security, enhance intelligence gathering and prevent criminals from exploiting unidentifiable vehicles to perpetrate crimes across the country.

This was contained in statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikioedem and made available to journalists in Benin City, today.

It stated that the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to commence sustained operations aimed at identifying and apprehending offenders throughout the state.

According to the statement, vehicles found violating registration regulations would be stopped, investigated and, where necessary, impounded in accordance with the law.

“The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, has directed all Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to embark on a sustained operation aimed at identifying and apprehending offenders. He emphasized that vehicles found violating registration regulations will be stopped, investigated, and where necessary, impounded in accordance with the law.

“This initiative is in compliance with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police IGP Tunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+) NPM, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security, improve intelligence gathering, and deny criminal elements the anonymity often exploited in the concealment of vehicle identification”, the statement stated.

The police expressed concern over the growing number of vehicles plying roads in the state with concealed or missing number plates, describing the trend as a major security threat that undermines efforts to trace vehicles linked to criminal activities.

The Command urged motorists to ensure their vehicles carry valid registration number plates issued by relevant authorities and that such plates remain clearly visible at all times.

It also advised vehicle owners to keep their documentation up to date and comply fully with traffic and vehicle registration requirements.

The police, however, assured residents that the exercise was intended solely to enhance public safety and not to inconvenience law-abiding citizens.