Number plates: Police impound 120 vehicles in Ogun, Delta

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At least 120 vehicles have been impounded in Ogun and Delta states as police intensified enforcement of the Inspector-General of Police’s directive against vehicles operating without registration number plates or with covered, altered and obscured plates.

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The enforcement exercise led to the arrest of 89 drivers in Ogun State and the impounding of 31 vehicles in Delta State during separate operations aimed at strengthening vehicle traceability, improving intelligence gathering and denying criminals the anonymity often exploited in committing crimes.

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In Ogun, the Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the exercise followed the nationwide directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu.

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He said, “During the operations, 89 vehicles and their drivers were apprehended for violating the directive. Appropriate administrative and legal actions have been taken against the offenders in accordance with extant laws and established procedures, including prosecution where applicable.

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“The exercise is a strategic preventive policing initiative designed to improve vehicle traceability, strengthen intelligence gathering, support prompt investigation, and deny criminal elements the anonymity often exploited in the commission of crimes.

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“The exercise will be sustained across Ogun State, and all violators will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”

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Babaseyi also disclosed that the command arrested two armed robbery suspects, Abdusalam Adam and Israel Salako, recovered a stolen Toyota Camry and two motorcycles during separate operations across the state.

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According to him, operatives of the Ogere Division, working with the Ogun State So-Safe Corps, local vigilantes and residents, foiled an armed robbery operation at Akuro Phase I, Ogere Remo, on Thursday after robbers invaded a residence and dispossessed occupants of two motorcycles, mobile phones, cash and other valuables.

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He said the swift deployment of security operatives forced the suspects to abandon the motorcycles and flee into a nearby bush.

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“Subsequent coordinated efforts led to the arrest of one suspect, Abdulsalam Adam, who is currently assisting investigators with useful information. The scene was processed, and one knife, one expended cartridge, and one broken padlock were recovered as exhibits,” Babaseyi said.

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He added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang, while the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, for further investigation.

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Similarly, he said operatives of the Ajuwon Division on July 2 responded to a distress call over an armed robbery incident at Baale Akinosi Area, Ajuwon, where hoodlums carted away mobile phones, jewellery, power banks, a laptop, a Toyota Camry and other valuables.

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The police spokesman said the division’s Anti-Crime Team launched a coordinated operation and, during a hot pursuit, the fleeing suspects abandoned the stolen vehicle.

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He said one suspect, Israel Salako, was arrested and is assisting investigators, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the gang and recover the remaining stolen items.

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Similarly, operatives of the Delta State Police Command impounded 31 vehicles during an enforcement operation targeting traffic and vehicle registration offences.

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The Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, said in a statement that the vehicles were impounded during a coordinated crime prevention patrol conducted in Agbor on Friday.

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According to him, the operation, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Department of Operations, covered Agbor metropolis, major highways, entry and exit points, as well as border communities between Delta and Edo states.

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Edafe said the affected vehicles were impounded for offences including non-display of registration number plates, obscured or covered number plates, expired vehicle particulars and other traffic-related violations.

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He added that the owners of the vehicles would be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction.

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The police spokesman explained that the operation was aimed at reinforcing police presence, deterring criminal activities, ensuring compliance with traffic and vehicle registration laws, and denying criminal elements the opportunity to operate.

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The Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and strategic enforcement operations across the state.

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He urged motorists to comply with traffic and vehicle registration requirements, stressing that strict enforcement remained essential to public safety, crime prevention and the maintenance of law and order.

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