The Enugu State Police Command has announced plans to intensify enforcement against the use of unregistered vehicles and vehicles with obscured, defaced, or unlawfully covered registration number plates across the state.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, directed operatives of the command to strictly but professionally enforce relevant laws aimed at curbing the use of such vehicles.
According to the statement, the directive is in line with an existing order by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which mandates the impoundment of unregistered vehicles and the prosecution of offenders nationwide due to the security threats they pose.
The police commissioner noted that unregistered vehicles and vehicles with tampered, concealed, or defaced number plates undermine law enforcement efforts and often aid criminal activities by making it difficult for security agencies to identify and track suspects.
CP Giwa charged supervisory officers to ensure that the enforcement exercise is conducted in accordance with the law and with respect for the rights of citizens. He stressed that officers must display professionalism and civility while carrying out their duties.
He also warned that any police personnel found engaging in extortion, harassment, or other forms of misconduct during the exercise would face disciplinary action.
The commissioner urged motorists operating unregistered vehicles or using obscured, defaced, or unlawfully covered number plates to comply with existing regulations and desist from such practices.
He further called on residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities and criminal elements to the nearest police station.
The command also encouraged members of the public to report cases of police misconduct through its Complaint Response Unit as part of efforts to ensure accountability during the enforcement operation.
The police said the intensified enforcement forms part of ongoing measures to strengthen public safety and improve crime detection and prevention across Enugu State.
