Motorists have been reminded by the Nigeria Police Force that covering license plates without a legitimate reason is considered a criminal offence.
This revelation came on Friday as the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, issued a statement via his X handle.
It is a mandatory stipulation, as stated by the Force PRO, that registration numbers must be kept visible at all times.
Adejobi said, ‘It is a common thing to see many vehicle owners and drivers to cover their number plates, for no reason, this is wrong and even criminal.’
‘You don’t cover your number plate for any reason. It is as important and compulsory for all vehicles to be duly registered, so it’s compulsory to make reg. numbers visible at all times.’
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However, he clarified that there are special cases for “pennant officers” and the heads of the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches, allowing them to affix pennants or flags to their official vehicles.
Adejobi said, ‘The seal of their offices or ranks (for military or police) go with their numbers and pennants. Once its 6pm, the pennant must go down and their numbers covered, or when they are not in the car while the drivers move their cars.’
‘The flags must be covered with the reg number or their seal of office on their cars. This impunity must stop in Nigeria, and we need to know the right thing to do.’
‘Our officers and men and other traffic management agencies are aware of this and hereby urged to go after any violator, as such is criminal. It encourages recklessness and crimes with impunity. Let’s collectively kick against it,’ he said.
It is worth recalling that the police have, on numerous occasions, enforced a prohibition on the unauthorized utilization of unmarked vehicles and covered number plates nationwide.