The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has issued a stern warning to vehicle owners and motorists in Abuja against driving cars without valid licence plates, as well as those with defaced, hidden, or faded registration numbers.
The crackdown specifically focuses on individuals driving SUVs, excluding high-ranking government officials, as the police force steps up the enforcement of vehicle identification laws across the nation’s capital.
Command spokesperson Josephine Adeh highlighted the warning in a statement released on Sunday, emphasizing that the misuse of fake diplomatic plates or unauthorized use of diplomatic registration by private individuals is strictly prohibited in the FCT.
Adeh stated that the warning originated directly from FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, following the “proliferation of such vehicles, which have been observed to be used by criminal elements to evade detection, identification and arrest during and after the commission of offences.”
The police statement further noted, “The Federal Capital Territory is a peculiar environment where the use of such vehicles poses significant security concerns, as it may hinder effective identification and tracking by law enforcement agencies.”
In response to these risks, the Police Commissioner made it clear that any motorist caught driving a non-compliant vehicle will face immediate arrest and prosecution under the law.
To ensure compliance, Adeh confirmed that officers throughout the FCT have been instructed to ramp up enforcement regarding both vehicle identification regulations and tinted glass rules.
“Officers have also been directed to conduct such operations professionally and refrain from using the exercise as a means of extortion,” Adeh added.
To support these efforts, the police spokesperson encouraged residents of the FCT to report any suspicious vehicles or criminal activities to local stations or contact the command directly via its emergency helplines at 08032003913 and 08028940883.
The command emphasized that the primary goal of the enforcement campaign is to bolster overall security, make tracking suspicious automobiles easier for law enforcement agencies, and close loopholes that allow criminals using fake or obscured numbers to escape detection.
