Rivers Police Boss Leads Crackdown on Hidden, Unregistered Number Plates

The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, on Monday led a crackdown on vehicles with covered, hidden, and unregistered number plates in Port Harcourt and nearby areas.

CP Adepoju was with officers from the State Traffic Department and the Command’s management team. They checked for compliance at key spots like GRA Junction on Aba Road and Ikwerre Road.

Many offenders were arrested and taken to a mobile court at the Police Traffic Section, Mile 1 Divisional Police Headquarters.

While speaking with reporters during the operation, Adepoju said this move followed the order of Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu. The goal is to boost public safety and stop criminals from hiding their identities.

He said, “We are here to ensure that the directive of the Inspector-General of Police is fully complied with.

“Vehicles operating without registration plates or with covered or obscured number plates will be impounded and their owners sanctioned accordingly.”

Adepoju mentioned that intelligence reports show these vehicles are often used for crimes like transporting weapons, kidnapping, and other illegal activities.

“These vehicles are also involved in hit-and-run cases. When victims or witnesses try to identify them, they cannot because the number plates are covered or hidden,” CP Adepoju added.

The state Police boss highlighted that number plates are very important for solving crimes and recovering vehicles.

“If a vehicle is stolen or used in a crime, the number plate helps security agencies track it down. It also makes it easier to recover stolen vehicles,” he stated.

CP Adepoju pointed out that some drivers intentionally hide their registration plates to commit crimes. He warned that the Command would enforce the order strictly.

“This is the first official day of the enforcement exercise, and we are already seeing a good level of compliance. We have not seen many vehicles with covered or unregistered number plates since we started,” he said.

He also mentioned that the Command has previously arrested many violators and is hopeful that compliance will keep improving.

The Commissioner addressed worries about police personnel possibly extorting drivers during the exercise. He warned officers not to exploit motorists.

Meanwhile, CP Adepoju explained that the ongoing restriction on tricycles and motorcycles from operating between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. does not apply to minibuses, commonly known as Keke buses.

He said that reports show tricycles and motorcycles are often used by one-chance robbery gangs to rob residents, especially at night.

“Based on our records, tricycles and motorcycles have often been used by one-chance criminals to rob innocent citizens. Therefore, they cannot operate from 10 p.m. to early morning,” he explained.

However, he assured residents that minibuses will continue to operate beyond 10 p.m. to avoid inconveniencing the public.

“We do not want to inconvenience members of the public. Therefore, Keke buses can operate after 10 p.m., but they will be closely monitored by security personnel. The restriction is only for tricycles and motorcycles,” the Commissioner said.

He also urged the public to take precautions to avoid becoming victims of one-chance criminals:

“Avoid boarding tricycles, motorcycles, or vehicles from lonely or dark places, especially at night.

“Be careful of vehicles with suspicious or overly aggressive passengers.”

CP continued, “Avoid getting into vehicles with covered or darkened interiors where you cannot clearly see the people inside,” among other advice.