The
Inspector-General of Police, Ag. IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has proscribed
with immediate effect the covering of Vehicle Number Plates by all
unauthorized vehicle users across the Country.
The IGP gave this
order on Tuesday, 5th March, 2019, following intelligence report that
the unwholesome practice may be deployed by some unscrupulous persons to
aid the commission of electoral related offences before, during and
after the Saturday, 9th March, 2019 Gubernatorial/House of Assembly
elections.
Apart
from the above immediate possible threats to the polls, the IGP also
noted that the covering of Vehicle Number Plate amounts to a clear
breach of the Road Traffic Act and other relevant laws of the land. In
addition, the act could also impact negatively on national security and
safety and has the capacity to; heighten criminal activities, engender
atmosphere of lawlessness, shield perpetrators of crime and place
unnecessary pressure on security agencies in their routine crime
prevention and monitoring tasks.
The
IGP therefore directs all Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs)
and Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the Zonal and State Commands to
strictly enforce the restriction order at their various Areas of
Responsibilities (AOR) and to ensure that all defaulters are dealt with
according to the law. The IGP also warns that any security personnel
found escorting their principal with an unmarked vehicle or those with
masked vehicle number plates will be arrested and dealt with
accordingly.
ACP FRANK MBA
