Some of the impounded vehicles. Photo Credit: Enugu Police Command PPRO Unit
By Tony Adibe
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, Mr Mamman Giwa, has advised motorists in the state operating unregistered vehicles or using covered, defaced, obscured, unauthorized, or improperly affixed number plates, except as permitted by law, to desist immediately and comply with all applicable regulations.
CP Giwa gave the advice on Tuesday as he led the professional enforcement of the nationwide ban on unregistered vehicles and vehicles with covered, defaced, obscured, improperly affixed, unauthorized or missing number plates across the State. The operation resulted in the impoundment of 195 vehicles for violating the provisions of the National Road Traffic Regulations and other extant laws, according to a press release issued by the state police Public Relations Officer SP Daniel Ndukwe.
Giwa, Enugu State CP
He said Giwa recalled that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, recently directed all State Police Commands to “strictly enforce the ban and prosecute offenders in line with extant laws”, citing the “security risks posed by such vehicles, their frequent use in criminal activities, and their violation of existing regulations.”
He said Giwa further warned that any police officer found engaging in extortion, harassment, or any other form of misconduct during the exercise would face severe disciplinary sanctions. He also urged “motorists operating unregistered vehicles or using covered, defaced, obscured, unauthorized, or improperly affixed number plates, except as permitted by law, to desist immediately” and comply with all applicable regulations.
Ndukwe, referencing the Giwa in the press release, insisted that the affected vehicle owners will be charged to court and prosecuted accordingly. He said that the impounded vehicles include those that are unregistered, bear covered, defaced, obscured, unauthorized, or improperly affixed official number plates, or have only one number plate instead of the legally required two.
Ndukwe said that Giwa lauded the enforcement personnel for conducting the operation professionally and reminded motorists of their obligation to comply with laws regulating vehicle registration and number plate usage.
“He warned that the Command would sustain the enforcement and ensure that all offenders are prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Ndukwe, quoting the commissioner, said.
