…Says Defaulters, Escorting Security Officers Will Be Summarily Dealt With
By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Acting Inspector-General of Police M.A Adamu has banned unauthorized use of unmarked and covered vehicle number plate across the country.
Adamu said that defaulters and the security personnel found escorting them will be summarily dealt with according to the law.
He disclosed this on Tuesday in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Frank Mba sent to Sundiata Post.
The statement reads in full:
The Inspector-General of Police, Ag. IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has proscribed with immediate effect the covering of Vehicle Number Plates by all unauthorized vehicle users across the Country.
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.
In addition, the act could also impact negatively on national security and
safety and has the capacity to; heighten criminal activities, engender
atmosphere of lawlessness, shield perpetrators of crime and place unnecessary
pressure on security agencies in their routine crime prevention and monitoring
tasks.
The IGP therefore directs all Assistant Inspectors
General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the Zonal and
State Commands to strictly enforce the restriction order at their various Areas
of Responsibilities (AOR) and to ensure that all defaulters are dealt with
according to the law. The IGP also warns that any security personnel found
escorting their principal with an unmarked vehicle or those with masked vehicle
number plates will be arrested and dealt with accordingly.
ACP FRANK MBA
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS