By ThePreview Team

 

The Ondo State Police Command said it has commenced a statewide enforcement operation targeting vehicles operating with covered, concealed, defaced, altered or otherwise obscured registration number plates, as well as unregistered vehicles plying roads across the state.

Abayomi Jimoh, the command’s spokesperson, who made this known in a statement on Saturday, said the enforcement action complies with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, who recently ordered all commissioners of police and heads of formations nationwide to intensify enforcement against vehicles operating without proper registration numbers or with tampered identification details.

Mr Jimoh said the directive is aimed at strengthening public safety, enhancing crime prevention and improving the capacity of law enforcement agencies to identify and track vehicles involved in criminal activities.

He said the state Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, has consequently directed all Area commanders, divisional police officers, tactical commanders and officers deployed across the state to ensure strict but professional enforcement of the directive in accordance with extant laws and respect for the fundamental rights of citizens.

“The command notes with concern the increasing trend of motorists deliberately concealing, covering, defacing or altering vehicle registration numbers in an attempt to evade identification.

“Such practices are unlawful and constitute a serious security threat, as criminal elements often exploit unregistered and unidentifiable vehicles to perpetrate crimes and avoid detection by security agencies,” Mr Jimoh said.

As part of the ongoing operation, he said vehicles found without approved registration number plates, vehicles displaying covered or obscured number plates, and those with altered or defaced registration details will be contravened, impounded where necessary and subjected to the appropriate legal processes as stipulated by law.

READ ALSO: FCT Police launch violent crime response unit

The command advised all vehicle owners and motorists in the state to immediately ensure that their vehicles are properly registered and that approved registration numbers are clearly displayed at all times.

“Compliance with vehicle registration regulations is not merely a statutory requirement but a critical component of effective policing, intelligence gathering and public safety.

“Members of the public are urged to cooperate with police personnel during the enforcement exercise and to report suspicious vehicles or activities to the nearest police station,” the statement said.

The command said it remains committed to implementing the vision of the Inspector-General of Police in strengthening internal security, preventing crime, and ensuring the safety of all residents of the state.