Ondo police arraigns 15 motorists over covered, unregistered number plates

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Ondo State Police Command has arraigned 15 motorists for allegedly operating vehicles without registration number plates or with covered number plates.

This crackdown serves as part of an enforcement exercise ordered by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

The command said the statewide operation, which began on June 22, 2026, was aimed at enforcing compliance with traffic regulations and preventing the use of unregistered vehicles, which security agencies say are often exploited by criminal elements to evade detection.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the exercise led to the interception of 15 vehicles found to be operating without valid registration plates or with concealed number plates.

The statement noted that the vehicles had been handed over to the State Traffic Department, while prosecution of the affected motorists had commenced before a court of competent jurisdiction.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Felix Ohagwu, said the enforcement drive was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police and would be sustained across the state.

“The enforcement is not intended to inconvenience law-abiding citizens but to strengthen security and improve the capacity of law enforcement agencies to identify vehicles and their owners during criminal investigations,” the CP said.

Ohagwu added that vehicles operating without registration plates or with concealed number plates posed serious security risks because they could be used to facilitate criminal activities without easy identification. He urged motorists to ensure their vehicles were properly registered and fitted with valid number plates, assuring residents that the command would continue proactive operations aimed at protecting lives and property and maintaining law and order across the state.