Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Adamu has placed a ban on the unauthorised use of unmarked vehicles and vehicles with covered number plates.
The ban order was contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday signed by the Force spokesman Frank Mba, an Assistant Commissioner of Police ACP.
According to him, the IGP gave the order following intelligence report that vehicles with covered number plates might be used to commit electoral-related offences before, during and after the Governorship and House of Assembly polls holding on Saturday.
He noted that covering of vehicle number plates was contrary to the Road Traffic Act and others laws.
The IGP further held that such practices could also negatively impact on national security and heighten criminal activities.
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The statement read; “The IGP gave this order on Tuesday, 5th March, 2019, following intelligence report that the unwholesome practice may be deployed by some unscrupulous persons to aid the commission of electoral related offences before, during and after the Saturday, 9th March, 2019 Gubernatorial/House of Assembly elections.
“Apart from the above immediate possible threats to the polls, the IGP also noted that the covering of Vehicle Number Plate amounts to a clear breach of the Road Traffic Act and other relevant laws of the land.”
Adamu, therefore, directed all Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, AIGs, and Commissioners of Police, CPs, in the zonal and state commands to strictly enforce the order, warning that any security personnel found escorting their principals with an unmarked vehicle or covered vehicle number plates, would be arrested and dealt with accordingly.
