Oyo Police to crackdown on unregistered vehicles, masked riders from Jan 12
By Adejayan Gbenga
In a bid to curb criminal activities and enhance public safety, the Oyo State Police Command says it would begin a statewide enforcement operation targeting vehicles without valid registration numbers.
The initiative, which would begin on Monday, January 12, 2026, was approved by the Commissioner of Police (CP) Femi Haruna as part of the command’s commitment to proactive, intelligence-led, and preventive policing.
According to the Command, the crackdown will affect vehicles without valid registration numbers, those bearing covered, blinded, defaced, fake, dealer’s, unauthorised National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) number plates, or any number plate covered without lawful authorisation. Motorcyclists who wear hoods or masks that conceal their identity will also be arrested.
A statement issued on Friday by the Command’s Spokesman, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the measures became necessary following intelligence and operational assessments, which show that criminals often exploit unmarked vehicles and disguised motorcyclists to evade detection and commit crimes.
“Henceforth, any person violating these directives shall be arrested, and the vehicle or motorcycle impounded, with suspects prosecuted after investigations,” Ayanlade warned. He noted that CP Haruna had earlier engaged commercial motorcyclists across the state to sensitise them about the enforcement.
He also shared his personal contact with the union leadership to encourage timely reporting of credible intelligence, assuring confidentiality and prompt police response.
The command emphasised that routine stop-and-search operations, checkpoints, and intelligence-driven patrols will continue to be deployed strategically across the state to ensure public safety.
Ayanlade urged the public to remain vigilant, law-abiding, and report any suspicious movements to the nearest police station, security post, or via the command’s emergency lines.
