The Federal Road Safety Corps has impounded more than 350 vehicles across Nigeria within a month for using unauthorized number plates.
The Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, disclosed this in an interview with journalists on Monday in Abuja.
The nationwide crackdown, which began on February 3, aims to address the use of fake registration numbers and the illegal display of number plates on private, commercial, government, and diplomatic vehicles.
Ogungbemide explained that the operation was launched to enhance road safety and national security.
“The initial intervention, which started in Abuja, focused on vehicles with fake diplomatic numbers, unrecognized plates, and other related infractions,” he said.
He warned that the proliferation of counterfeit number plates poses a serious security risk, hindering law enforcement efforts and endangering national safety.
Following the Abuja pilot phase, the operation was expanded across all states, resulting in the seizure of hundreds of vehicles.
“In just one month, we have impounded 350 vehicles,” Ogungbemide confirmed. “Many of these were using fake diplomatic numbers and unrecognized plates, which we cannot trace to any legitimate source.”
He emphasized that the crackdown was still ongoing, given the broader security concerns associated with unregistered number plates.
“This issue extends beyond road safety—it’s a security concern. When you have unauthorized number plates everywhere, it becomes difficult to track vehicles involved in criminal activities. That is why we are taking it seriously,” he added.
Ogungbemide urged vehicle owners to obtain legal number plates through the National Vehicle Identification Scheme, assuring them that the process is both simple and affordable.
He also cautioned against the use of “fancy number plates” without proper authorization, warning that violators would face penalties.
“If you want a fancy number plate and can afford it, there is a legal process to obtain one through the NVIS. But it is wrong for anyone to just create a plate with their name on it. This country has laws, and things must be done properly,” he stated.
He further argued that vehicle owners should prioritize safety and security, noting that acquiring a legitimate plate is a small price compared to the cost of purchasing a vehicle.
“Anyone who can spend millions to buy a car should be able to spare a few thousand naira for a legal number plate. It’s a matter of responsibility,” he said.
The FRSC reiterated its commitment to ensuring compliance with proper registration laws and urged the public to report suspicious number plates to the nearest FRSC office.
