Police seize 195 vehicles over number plate violations in Enugu

The Enugu State Police Command has impounded 195 vehicles for alleged violations of vehicle registration and number plate regulations, warning that the owners will face prosecution in accordance with the law.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued late Tuesday by its spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, following a statewide enforcement operation supervised by the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa.

According to the statement, the exercise formed part of the nationwide enforcement of the ban on unregistered vehicles and those operating with covered, defaced, obscured, improperly affixed, unauthorised or missing number plates.

The police explained that the impounded vehicles included those without proper registration, those displaying only one number plate instead of the legally required two, and those with covered, defaced, obscured, unauthorised, or improperly affixed number plates.

“The affected vehicle owners will be charged to court and prosecuted accordingly,” the statement said.

The command noted that the operation was carried out in line with the provisions of the National Road Traffic Regulations and other relevant laws.

Commending the officers involved in the exercise, Giwa urged motorists to comply fully with vehicle registration and number plate requirements.

“He warned that the Command would sustain the enforcement and ensure that all offenders are prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the statement added.

The commissioner also recalled the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, mandating all state police commands to strictly enforce the ban on unregistered vehicles and prosecute violators.

According to the police, the directive was prompted by the security risks posed by unregistered and improperly identified vehicles, which are often linked to criminal activities and constitute breaches of traffic regulations.

Giwa further cautioned officers against extortion, harassment or any other form of misconduct during the enforcement exercise, warning that any personnel found culpable would face disciplinary action.

He equally advised motorists operating unregistered vehicles or using covered, defaced, obscured, unauthorised or improperly affixed number plates to comply with the law to avoid prosecution.

On Saturday, the Ogun State Police Command arrested 89 drivers for flouting the Inspector-General of Police’s directive on the crackdown on vehicles without registration number plates or with covered number plates.

The Command said such violations pose a threat to both local and national security.