Police begin crackdown on vehicles with covered, fake number plates in Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command has commenced a statewide enforcement crackdown on vehicles operating with covered, obscured, defaced, concealed, unauthorised or no registration number plates, in a move aimed at strengthening security and curbing criminal activities across the state. The command said the exercise is being carried out in compliance with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police and is designed to enhance public safety by denying criminal elements the anonymity often exploited in the commission of crimes. In a statement issued on Thursday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Team Commanders to impound offending vehicles and conduct thorough investigations in accordance with extant laws. According to the statement, the enforcement also covers vehicles displaying fake, improperly issued, altered or otherwise unauthorised registration number plates. “The Ogun State Police Command has commenced statewide enforcement against vehicles operating with covered, obscured, defaced, concealed, unauthorised, or no registration number plates, in compliance with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police. “The exercise is aimed at strengthening security, enhancing public safety, and denying criminal elements the anonymity often exploited in the commission of crimes,” the statement partly read. The command, however, noted that the directive exempts only vehicles officially entitled to display flags in line with established protocols. The police advised motorists, transport operators, fleet owners and members of the public to ensure that their vehicles carry valid, duly issued and clearly visible registration number plates at all times. The statement stressed that the operation was not intended to inconvenience law-abiding citizens but to improve the ability of law enforcement agencies to identify vehicles, investigate crimes and track criminal suspects. “The Ogun State Police Command wishes to advise motorists, transport operators, fleet owners, and members of the public to ensure that their vehicles carry valid, duly issued, and clearly visible registration number plates at all times. “This exercise is not intended to inconvenience law-abiding citizens but to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies to identify vehicles, investigate crimes, track criminal suspects, and strengthen the overall security architecture of Ogun State,” the statement added. The command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property and urged residents to comply with the directive while continuing to provide credible and timely information to security agencies. It also assured the public that officers deployed for the exercise had been directed to conduct themselves professionally, courteously and within the ambit of the law.