By Nkechi Eze
As part of efforts to boost national security, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, has ordered an immediate crackdown on vehicles using fake diplomatic and unauthorized number plates on Nigerian roads. This move aims to tackle the growing problem of fake number plates, which can be easily spotted on many vehicles.
To address this issue, the FRSC will work closely with Motor Licensing Authorities to ensure that only authorized number plates are issued to vehicle owners. This is crucial in preventing the proliferation of fake plates and ensuring that all vehicles are properly registered and tracked.
The use of fake diplomatic number plates is a serious offense, as seen in cases where individuals have been convicted of conspiracy and illegally using fraudulent diplomatic credentials. By taking action against these fake plates, the FRSC is sending a strong message that such activities will not be tolerated.
These identified number plates are fraudulently produced by suspected criminals as they were neither produced by any of the production plants of the Federal Road Safety Corps in the country nor issued by the Motor Licensing Authorities of States.
The identified fake and unauthorized number plates include but not limited to those with the following inscriptions such as DIPLOMATIC NUMBER PLATES, NYCN, PEACE AMBASSADOR, NAUS, CYMS, UN-UNITY 01, UN-AMB, NANS etc.
Pursuant to the growing need to bring this criminal activities to a halt, the Corps Marshal has approved immediate commencement of tactical enforcement across all formations of the Corps, so as to ensure speedy arrest and impoundment of all vehicles on Nigerian roads with the above identified fake number plates or any other of its kind.
By this notice, the public is hereby cautioned that these fake and unauthorized number plates are mostly used for nefarious and criminal activities. Pursuant to the foregoing, members of the public are advised to report anyone using such number plates to law enforcement bodies.
Members of the public who are presently using such vehicle identifications are by this publication warned to immediately discontinue the use of these fake and unauthorized plates as defaulters will be prosecuted.
To achieve maximum impact in the aggressive enforcement, the Corps will collaborate with other Security agencies to uncover the sources of the fake number plates for necessary apprehension and prosecution. Owners of such vehicles shall be prosecuted along as accomplices.
The Corps is firmly committed to apprehending all malicious actors who prioritize financial gain over national security, guaranteeing that each one faces consequences without exception.
