By Monsurat Abisoye
The Osun State Police Command has commenced a statewide enforcement operation targeting vehicles and motorcycles operating with covered, obscured, concealed, defaced, unauthorised, or unregistered number plates as part of efforts to enhance security across the state.
In a statement issued in Osogbo on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the exercise followed a directive from the Inspector-General of Police aimed at improving public safety and preventing criminals from exploiting anonymity to carry out unlawful activities.
According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, CP Ibrahim Gotan, has directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and officers on field duty to impound offending vehicles and conduct thorough investigations in accordance with existing laws.
The Command stated that the operation is designed to strengthen security, improve the ability of law enforcement agencies to identify vehicles, investigate crimes, and track criminal suspects across the state.
The enforcement exercise will also target vehicles displaying fake, altered, improperly issued, or other unauthorised registration number plates. The police warned that such violations would not be tolerated.
Motorists, transport operators, fleet owners, and members of the public were advised to ensure that their vehicles are fitted with valid, officially issued, and clearly visible number plates at all times.
The Command stressed that the initiative is not intended to inconvenience law-abiding citizens but rather to reinforce the state’s security architecture and deny criminal elements the cover often used in the commission of crimes.
The police further reaffirmed their commitment to protecting lives and property, urging residents to comply with the directive and provide credible and timely information to security agencies.
It added that officers involved in the operation had been instructed to carry out their duties professionally, courteously, and strictly within the provisions of the law.