The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has warned motorists and vehicle owners against driving vehicles without valid number plates or with concealed, defaced or deliberately faded plate numbers.
The Command also warned against the use of tinted glasses without valid permits and fake diplomatic number plates by unauthorised persons in the FCT.
The warning was issued by the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, and disclosed in a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, on Sunday.
According to the police, the warning became necessary following the increasing use of such vehicles, which could make it difficult for security agencies to identify and track vehicles involved in criminal activities.
“Vehicles with concealed or altered number plates pose a serious security concern in the FCT, as they can be used by offenders to evade detection and arrest after committing crimes,” the Command said.
“The Federal Capital Territory is a peculiar environment where the use of such vehicles poses significant security concerns, as it may hinder effective identification and tracking by law enforcement agencies,” the statement said.
The Commissioner directed that motorists found violating the law should be arrested and prosecuted.
He also ordered police officers across the FCT to intensify enforcement and ensure compliance with laws governing vehicle identification and the use of tinted glasses.
The Command, however, warned police officers against using the enforcement exercise to extort motorists.
“Officers have also been directed to conduct such operations professionally and refrain from using the exercise as a means of extortion,” the statement added.
The police urged residents to cooperate with officers and report suspicious vehicles or activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency lines.
FCT police order arrest, prosecution of motorists with concealed number plates