Nigeria Police Chief Orders Clampdown on Unregistered Vehicles

Nigeria's Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has issued a stern directive to all Commissioners of Police, mandating an immediate and intensified crackdown on unregistered vehicles and those with concealed or altered license plates across the country. The order, given during a conference with Strategic Police Managers in Abuja, targets a growing trend that poses significant risks to public safety and national security.

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Let me now address the growing, disturbing trend that has several implications for public safety and national security across several parts of the country.

Disu stated that driving vehicles without proper registration or with deliberately obscured plates is unlawful, irresponsible, and unacceptable. He emphasized that the Nigerian Police Force will no longer tolerate such impunity, asserting that every vehicle on Nigerian roads must be legally registered and display its approved number plate. Vehicles found in violation will be stopped, grounded, and subjected to legal proceedings.

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This practice is unlawful, irresponsible, and unacceptable, and so, I wish to state unequivocally that from today, the Nigerian Police Force will no longer tolerate such acts of impunity.

The Inspector-General highlighted the critical role of vehicle registration in crime prevention and intelligence gathering. He noted that criminals, including kidnappers and terrorists, frequently exploit unregistered vehicles to carry out their activities and evade detection. Disu stressed that enforcement operations must be intensified without preferential treatment, ensuring the law is applied equally to all.

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Every vehicle operating on our roads must be properly registered and must display its approved registration number in accordance with the law.

He urged law-abiding citizens to comply with existing regulations by ensuring their vehicles are clearly registered. The directive underscores the government's commitment to using all available legal means to combat crime and enhance security across Nigeria.

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criminals, kidnappers, terrorists, and other offenders often exploit unregistered vehicles to perpetrate crimes and evade detection.