Police Launch Operation Clean Plates, Impound 105 Vehicles

Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force have impounded 105 vehicles, arraigned 24 traffic offenders, and intercepted three additional vehicles with their occupants under suspicious circumstances during separate enforcement operations targeting violations of vehicle registration regulations in Jigawa and Kano states.

This is as the police announced the launch of “Operation Clean Plates” targeted at motorists driving vehicles with covered, defaced or obscured registration number plates, vehicles without registration numbers, vehicles displaying manufacturers’ logos or decorative emblems instead of approved number plates, as well as vehicles fitted with unauthorised tinted glass.

The operations, disclosed on Monday, followed separate statements issued by the Jigawa State Police Command spokesperson, Lawan, and the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.

While the Jigawa command prosecuted motorists found violating traffic and vehicle registration laws, the Kano command launched “Operation Clean Plates”, leading to the seizure of dozens of vehicles across the state.

Lawan said the Jigawa State Police Command intensified enforcement of traffic and vehicle registration regulations to curb violations capable of undermining public safety and security.

According to Lawan, such violations hinder crime detection and investigation by making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to identify vehicles used in criminal activities.

He said police impounded “24 vehicles” found to be in breach of the relevant traffic and vehicle registration regulations and subsequently arraigned all the offenders before a competent court for prosecution.

Lawan added that the enforcement exercise would continue across the state, warning that motorists who fail to comply with the regulations would be arrested and prosecuted.

In Kano State, CP Bakori said the Command launched “Operation Clean Plates” after observing an increase in the number of vehicles operating with covered or defaced registration plates, as well as vehicles without registration numbers.

Speaking during a press briefing, Bakori noted that the command embarked on an extensive public sensitisation campaign through radio, television, social media and live phone-in programmes before commencing enforcement across the state’s 44 local government areas.

Bakori said police had so far intercepted and impounded 81 vehicles found to be violating vehicle registration regulations, adding that the affected drivers would face prosecution.

He further disclosed that operatives intercepted three additional vehicles with their occupants under suspicious circumstances, noting that the occupants failed to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the ownership and purpose of the vehicles during preliminary interrogation.

Bakor warned, “I therefore call on all vehicle owners to ensure their vehicles are properly registered and that standard number plates are fixed and clearly visible. Remove any covering or obstruction immediately.

“I also call on you, the public, to cooperate with our officers and to avoid any act capable of breaking down law and order. At the same time, report any act of unprofessional conduct by our personnel to the Command’s Complaint Response Unit on 09134558533 or 08115657624. We will not condone indiscipline.

“The operation will continue until full compliance is achieved.”

Both commands reiterated that enforcement of vehicle registration regulations would continue as part of efforts to improve public safety, strengthen security and ensure compliance with traffic laws.