Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has ordered the arrest and immediate prosecution of motorists found driving vehicles without valid licence plates or with concealed, defaced or deliberately faded number plates.
Gatekeepers News reports that the directive was issued by Ahmed Sanusi, FCT Commissioner of Police, following concerns over the increasing use of vehicles without proper identification in Abuja.
Josephine Adeh, FCT police spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the warning particularly applied to motorists driving SUVs, except top government officials.
The command also warned against the use of fake diplomatic number plates or diplomatic plates by unauthorised persons within the FCT.
According to Adeh, the police commissioner said the proliferation of vehicles with concealed or altered number plates was a security concern because some criminal elements had been using such vehicles to evade detection, identification and arrest during or after the commission of offences.
“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,” the statement said.
The command said motorists found operating vehicles in violation of the relevant laws would be arrested and prosecuted immediately.
Sanusi also directed police officers across the FCT to intensify enforcement and ensure compliance with existing laws governing vehicle identification and the use of tinted glasses.
However, the commissioner instructed officers to conduct the enforcement professionally and warned them against using the exercise as an avenue for extortion.
The police urged residents to report suspicious vehicles or activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency numbers, 08032003913 and 08028940883.
The directive comes as the FCT Police Command steps up measures aimed at improving vehicle identification and strengthening security across Abuja.
