By Uche Amunike
The internal security of Nigeria is on the verge of being strengthened as the Inspector General of Police, IGP bans spy number plates nationwide.
The IGP, Usman Baba, made it clear that this directive of totally banning all spy number plates was applicable to all vehicle owners across all the states of the federation, with no exceptions, whatsoever.
Speaking through a statement released by Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Wednesday and titled ‘Internal security: IGP bans use of spy number plates nationwide … Directs reversal to original registered number plates, seizure of SPY plates’, the IGP maintained that it didn’t matter if it was authorized or not, because all authorizations stood automatically revoked indefinitely.
The statement went on to explain that the new directive by the IGP was expedient in order to prevent the endless disregard for traffic rules and regulations as well as all other laws guiding road use by individuals who hide under the privileges associated with SPY police number plates.
This new directive according to the statement, also implies that police officers and officers of other security agencies attached to VIPs who make use of these number plates should understand that they are expected to comply with the new instruction and remember that if the IGP bans spy number plates nationwide, failing to obey the new directive will make them face the risk of being arrested for violation of the order.
The statement partly read: ‘Meanwhile, the IGP has directed Commissioners of Police in the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police, to give full effect to the directives as contained above.’
‘The IGP specifically directed the AIGs and CPs to ensure that all SPY number plates currently in use are confiscated henceforth but the owners of such vehicles should not be arrested unless they are police officers or officers of other security agencies on escort duties.’
‘The IGP however warned that while carrying out these assignments, officers must ensure the rights and privileges of citizens are respected in line with the laws of the land and in accordance with international best practices.’
‘Other security agencies and members of the public are enjoined to cooperate with the Police in this regard as the moves are aimed at strengthening our internal security.’
This new authorization means that vehicle owners are expected to return to the use of original registered number plates. Failure to comply to this directive would lead to the seizure of their spy plates.
Recall that in June 2021, the immediate suspension of the issuance of tinted vehicle windscreen permits across the country was ordered by Alkali Baba. Back then, he directed that the issuance of number plates be put on hold. These were all measures being adopted by the federal government of Nigeria to fight the worsening security situation in the country. Hopefully, as the IGP bans spy number plates nationwide, it will go a long way to achieve this aim, especially if the compliance rate of vehicle users is high.
