By Duchess Ifeoluwa
The Ondo State Police Command has commenced a statewide enforcement operation against vehicles operating with covered, concealed, defaced or altered registration number plates, as well as unregistered vehicles plying roads across the state.
The Command said the exercise is part of efforts to strengthen security, improve crime prevention and enhance the ability of law enforcement agencies to identify and track vehicles linked to criminal activities.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the Command disclosed that the operation was initiated under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu, in compliance with a directive from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.
According to the statement, the Inspector-General recently directed Commissioners of Police and heads of police formations across the country to intensify enforcement against vehicles operating without proper registration numbers or with tampered identification details.
The police noted that the directive is aimed at enhancing public safety, strengthening intelligence gathering and preventing the use of unidentifiable vehicles in criminal activities.
Following the directive, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police has instructed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Tactical Commanders and officers deployed across the state to ensure strict but professional enforcement of the order in line with extant laws and with due regard for the rights of citizens.
The Command expressed concern over what it described as the growing trend of motorists deliberately concealing, covering, defacing or altering vehicle registration numbers to evade identification.
It warned that such practices are unlawful and constitute a serious security risk, as criminal elements often exploit unregistered or unidentifiable vehicles to perpetrate crimes and escape detection.
The police stated that as part of the ongoing operation, vehicles found without approved registration number plates, as well as those displaying covered, obscured, altered or defaced registration details, would be sanctioned in accordance with the law.
The statement added that affected vehicles may be impounded where necessary and subjected to appropriate legal processes.
The Command therefore advised vehicle owners and motorists across the state to ensure that their vehicles are properly registered and that approved registration numbers are clearly displayed at all times.
It stressed that compliance with vehicle registration regulations is not only a legal obligation but also an important component of effective policing, intelligence gathering and public safety.
The police also called on residents to cooperate with officers during the enforcement exercise and urged members of the public to report suspicious vehicles or activities to the nearest police station.
Reaffirming its commitment to public safety, the Command stated that it would continue to implement policies aimed at strengthening internal security, preventing crime and ensuring the protection of lives and property throughout Ondo State.
