Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Enugu State Police Command has impounded no fewer than 195 vehicles across the state for violating vehicle registration and number plate regulations, in a major enforcement operation personally supervised by the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, as part of a nationwide crackdown ordered by the Inspector-General of Police. The operation, which took place on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, targeted unregistered vehicles and those operating with covered, defaced, obscured, improperly affixed, unauthorised, or missing number plates, as well as vehicles displaying only one number plate instead of the legally required two.
According to a statement issued late Tuesday by the Command's Spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the exercise was carried out in line with the provisions of the National Road Traffic Regulations and other extant laws, following a directive from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, mandating all state police commands to strictly enforce the ban on unregistered vehicles and prosecute violators. The I-G had cited the security risks posed by such vehicles, their frequent use in criminal activities, and their violation of existing regulations as reasons for the directive.
The Commissioner of Police, who personally led the enforcement team, said the operation marked the professional enforcement of the nationwide ban on unregistered vehicles and those with covered, defaced, obscured, improperly affixed, unauthorised, or missing number plates across the state. "The impounded vehicles include those that are unregistered, bear covered, defaced, obscured, unauthorised, or improperly affixed official number plates, or have only one number plate instead of the legally required two," CP Giwa said during the exercise.
He further stated that the affected vehicle owners would be charged to court and prosecuted accordingly, warning that the Command would sustain the enforcement and ensure that all offenders were prosecuted in accordance with the law. The Commissioner also commended 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.
The police chief issued a stern warning to officers participating in the operation, stating that any police officer found engaging in extortion, harassment, or any other form of misconduct during the exercise would face severe disciplinary sanctions. He equally urged motorists operating unregistered vehicles or using covered, defaced, obscured, unauthorised, or improperly affixed number plates, except as permitted by law, to desist immediately and comply with all applicable regulations.
The enforcement operation in Enugu State is part of a broader nationwide crackdown on vehicle registration and number plate violations. On Saturday, the Ogun State Police Command arrested 89 drivers for flouting the Inspector-General of Police's directive on the crackdown on vehicles without registration number plates or with covered number plates, which the Command said pose a threat to both local and national security.
The Nigeria Police Force has repeatedly warned that unregistered vehicles and those with obscured or missing number plates are frequently used by criminals to evade detection and frustrate security operations. The enforcement of vehicle registration and number plate regulations is therefore seen as a critical component of the Force's crime prevention strategy, aimed at reducing the ability of criminals to operate with impunity and enhancing the overall security of the nation.
The Enugu State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the enforcement operation and ensuring that all offenders are prosecuted in accordance with the law. Motorists are advised to regularise their vehicle documents immediately and comply with all extant regulations to avoid arrest and prosecution. The Command has also urged members of the public to report any cases of police misconduct during the enforcement exercise, assuring that all reports will be treated with utmost confidentiality and acted upon promptly.
As the enforcement operation continues across the state, residents and motorists are advised to ensure their vehicles are properly registered and display the required number plates to avoid being caught on the wrong side of the law. The Enugu State Police Command has made it clear that the operation is not a one-off exercise but a sustained effort to rid the state of unregistered and improperly identified vehicles, which have been linked to a wide range of criminal activities.
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