At least 195 motorists in Enugu State are set to face prosecution for allegedly breaching vehicle registration and number plate regulations following a statewide enforcement exercise by the police.
The operation, supervised by the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, led to the impoundment of 195 vehicles across the state.
According to The Punch, the Enugu State Police Command disclosed this in a statement issued late Tuesday by its spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe.
According to the statement, the exercise was 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 command said the impounded vehicles comprised those without valid registration, vehicles displaying only one number plate instead of the legally required two, as well as 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 police noted that the enforcement exercise was conducted in accordance with the National Road Traffic Regulations and other applicable laws.
Commending officers who participated in the operation, Giwa urged motorists to comply with all 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 reminded the public of the directive issued by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, instructing all state police commands to strictly enforce the ban on unregistered vehicles and prosecute offenders.
According to the command, the directive followed growing concerns over the security risks posed by unregistered and improperly identified vehicles, which are frequently associated with criminal activities and traffic law violations.
Giwa further warned officers against extortion, harassment, or any other form of misconduct while carrying out the exercise, stressing that any personnel found wanting would face disciplinary measures.
He also advised motorists driving unregistered vehicles or using covered, defaced, obscured, unauthorised, or improperly affixed number plates to comply with the law to avoid prosecution.
The latest enforcement comes days after the Ogun State Police Command arrested 89 motorists for violating the Inspector-General’s directive targeting vehicles without registration number plates or those using covered number plates.
The command maintained that such infractions pose significant threats to both public safety and national security.
