The Anambra State Police Command has commenced a coordinated enforcement exercise across the state, targeting vehicles operating with covered, obscured, altered, defaced or unregistered number plates as part of efforts to strengthen security and curb criminal activities.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Ikioye Orutugu, who led the enforcement on Tuesday, urged vehicle users and owners across the state to register their vehicles and avoid concealing plate numbers as part of the exercise.
Orutugu said the exercise is aimed at enhancing public safety, improving vehicle identification and preventing criminals from using untraceable vehicles to evade detection.
He added that police officers deployed for the exercise have been directed to carry out their duties professionally, courteously, and in accordance with the law.
He said, “The Anambra State Police Command is using this opportunity to reiterate its call for vehicle owners and users in the state to register their vehicles and avoid concealing number plates.
“The following directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, amid rising cases of unregistered vehicles and deliberate number plate concealment, which hinder identification and weaken crime prevention and public safety efforts.
“To this end, the Command wishes to inform Ndi Anambra and the public, particularly vehicle owners and users, that it has commenced the enforcement of the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, against the use of unregistered vehicles, concealment, defacement, alteration, and/or obstruction of vehicle registration number plates.”
According to the CP, in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police and relevant provisions of the law, vehicle owners are advised to ensure that their vehicles are duly registered and that their registration number plates are properly displayed and visible at all times.
He insisted that any act of covering, bending, defacing, removing, altering, or using unauthorised plate numbers constitutes a violation of the law and will attract appropriate sanctions.
“The enforcement exercise is aimed at strengthening security, enhancing intelligence gathering, and facilitating the prompt identification of vehicles used in the commission of crimes.
“The Command, therefore, calls on motorists to cooperate with law enforcement agencies by complying with all vehicle registration requirements and avoiding any action that could conceal the identity of their vehicles.
“Police officers deployed for the exercise have been directed to carry out their duties professionally, courteously, and in accordance with the law.
“The Anambra State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors in the State,” he added.