The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has warned motorists and vehicle owners against using vehicles without valid licence plates or with concealed, defaced or deliberately faded number plates.
The command also warned against the use of fake diplomatic number plates or diplomatic plates by unauthorised persons within the Federal Capital Territory.
The warning was issued by the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, following the increasing use of vehicles with concealed or invalid number plates, particularly SUVs, which the command said could pose security challenges.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the commissioner had directed the immediate arrest and prosecution of offenders found violating the law.
According to the command, some criminal elements use vehicles with concealed or altered number plates to evade detection, identification and arrest during or after the commission of offences.
The police noted that the situation was particularly concerning in the FCT, where proper vehicle identification is considered essential for effective security operations, tracking and investigation.
Sanusi therefore directed police officers across the FCT to intensify enforcement of laws governing vehicle identification and the use of tinted glasses.
He ordered officers to ensure strict compliance with the relevant laws while conducting the enforcement professionally.
The commissioner, however, warned police personnel against using the exercise as an avenue for extortion, directing them to carry out their duties in accordance with the law.
The command urged residents to cooperate with security agencies, stressing that maintaining security in the nation’s capital was a collective responsibility.
It also appealed to members of the public to report suspicious vehicles and activities to the nearest police station or through its emergency telephone numbers: 08032003913 and 08028940883.