Ogun State Police Command has arrested 89 motorists for violating the Inspector-General of Police’s directive against vehicles operating without registration number plates or with covered, altered or obscured plates.
The command said the enforcement exercise is aimed at improving security by making vehicles easier to trace and preventing criminals from exploiting unregistered or concealed number plates.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, noting that the operation followed a nationwide directive by the Inspector-General of Police.
According to him, all 89 motorists have been subjected to appropriate administrative and legal actions, including prosecution where necessary.
Babaseyi 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.
Police arrest 89 Motorists for violating IGP’s Number plate directives
“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.
“The exercise will be sustained across Ogun State, and all violators will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
The command also announced the arrest of two suspected armed robbers, identified as Abdulsalam Adam and Israel Salako, in separate operations, with the recovery of a stolen Toyota Camry and two motorcycles.
Babaseyi said 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 carted away two motorcycles, mobile phones, cash and other valuables.
He explained that a swift response by security operatives forced the suspects to abandon the motorcycles and flee into a nearby bush.
“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,” he said.
He added that efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the gang, while the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, for further investigation.
In another operation on July 2, operatives of the Ajuwon Division responded to a distress call over an armed robbery at Baale Akinosi Area, Ajuwon, where hoodlums reportedly stole mobile phones, jewellery, power banks, a laptop computer, a Toyota Camry and other valuables.
Babaseyi said the division’s Anti-Crime Team immediately launched a coordinated operation, forcing the fleeing suspects to abandon the stolen Toyota Camry during a hot pursuit.
He said one suspect, Israel Salako, was arrested and is assisting investigators, while efforts are continuing to apprehend other suspects and recover the remaining stolen property.
Commending the officers involved in the operations, the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, praised their professionalism, vigilance and prompt response.
Ojajuni reiterated the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing through sustained patrols, strategic stop-and-search operations, community partnership and timely response to distress calls.
He urged motorists to comply with vehicle registration requirements and advised members of the public to board commercial vehicles only at designated motor parks and recognised loading points.
The commissioner also cautioned against patronising unbranded vehicles or private vehicles operating illegally as commercial transport and encouraged residents to share their travel details with trusted relatives or friends whenever practicable.
He further appealed to mbers of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the police to aid crime prevention and assured residents that the command would sustain robust strategies to ensure the safety and security of lives and property across Ogun State.
