Police across Nigeria have begun a new operation to impound vehicles driving without number plates or with plates that are covered, defaced, or altered.
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu issued the order Tuesday during a public speech. You can watch his full statement in the video below.
According to Disu, officers will now pull over and seize any car that tries to hide its identity. He said security agencies have noticed a rise in vehicles on Nigerian roads that have no registration or use plates that are deliberately blocked.
“In several parts of the country, we are seeing more cars with no number plates. Others have plates that are hidden, damaged, covered, or changed so they cannot be traced,” Disu said in the address. “This breaks the law and we will no longer accept it.”
The new rule requires every vehicle in Nigeria to display its official registration number. Any car caught without plates, or with plates that are hidden or tampered with, will be stopped, taken by police, and handled under the law.
Disu stressed that number plates are not just for records. They are key tools for stopping crime, tracking suspects, and protecting the country. Criminals, kidnappers, and terrorists, he noted, often use cars with no clear identity to carry out attacks and avoid capture.
He urged all drivers to make sure their cars are fully registered and follow the rules. At the same time, he directed state police chiefs, tactical team leaders, and unit commanders to start strict enforcement right away.
“No one will get special treatment. The law applies to everyone. Anyone who disobeys this order will face the punishment the law provides,” he said.
The decision comes as Nigeria deals with rising cases of kidnapping, robbery, and violent attacks. Police say offenders often use unregistered or poorly marked cars to avoid being found.
🎥 Credit: TV Platinum