The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has ordered the arrest and immediate prosecution of motorists found using vehicles without valid licence plates, concealed or defaced number plates, and fake diplomatic registration numbers.
The directive was issued by the Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, PhD, FCAI, following concerns over the proliferation of vehicles being operated in violation of existing regulations.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, ANIPR, MIPRA, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, warning motorists against the use of vehicles without valid number plates, tinted glasses without the required permits, and concealed, deliberately faded or defaced registration numbers.
According to Adeh, the Command is particularly concerned about the use of such vehicles, including SUVs, by criminal elements to evade detection, identification and arrest during and after the commission of offences.
She added that the Command was also warning against the use of fake diplomatic number plates or the unauthorised use of such registration numbers within the Federal Capital Territory.
Adeh explained that the peculiar security environment of the FCT makes the practice a significant concern, as it could undermine the ability of law enforcement agencies to identify and track vehicles linked to criminal activities.
The Commissioner of Police has consequently directed officers across the FCT to intensify enforcement and ensure strict compliance with existing laws governing vehicle identification and the use of tinted glasses.
However, Sanusi charged officers to conduct the operations professionally and refrain from using the exercise as an avenue for extortion.
The Command urged residents to support police operations, stressing that security remains a collective responsibility.
It also encouraged members of the public to report suspicious vehicles and activities to the nearest police station or through its emergency numbers: 08032003913 and 08028940883.
