Police begin crackdown on covered number plates, unregistered vehicles in Ondo

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Ondo State Police Command has launched a statewide enforcement operation against vehicles with covered, concealed, defaced or altered registration number plates, as well as unregistered vehicles operating across the state.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, who said the exercise was in line with a directive from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.

According to the statement, the directive requires police commands nationwide to intensify enforcement against vehicles operating without proper registration details in a bid to strengthen security and support crime-fighting efforts.

As a result, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Felix Ohagwu, directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and other tactical units to ensure strict but professional enforcement of the order.

The command expressed concern over the growing practice of motorists deliberately concealing or altering vehicle registration numbers to avoid identification by security agencies.

It noted that such acts pose serious security risks, as criminals often exploit unregistered and unidentifiable vehicles to carry out unlawful activities and evade arrest.

The police warned that vehicles found without approved registration plates or displaying obscured, altered or defaced numbers would be sanctioned, impounded where necessary and subjected to legal procedures.

The command further urged motorists to ensure their vehicles are properly registered and fully compliant with the law, while also calling on residents to cooperate with officers and report suspicious vehicles or activities to the nearest police station.