The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has intensified its enforcement against fake vehicle registration plates, leading to 7,798 arrests within two months.
This crackdown is part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of counterfeit number plates, which pose significant threats to public safety and national security.
FRSC spokesperson Olusegun Ogungbemide confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday, noting that the initiative has gained the backing of the National Assembly.
“The FRSC’s proactive measures in tackling number plate-related offences have resulted in 7,798 arrests in just two months, drawing strong support from the National Assembly,” the statement read.
On Tuesday, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on FRSC, Honourable Abiodun Adesida, expressed the legislature’s commitment to assisting the Corps in its fight against the illegal circulation of fake number plates. This was during a meeting with Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed and committee members.
The meeting addressed the rising incidents of fake number plates, which not only compromise road safety but also obstruct security agencies from effectively tracking vehicles used in criminal activities.
During the session, the Corps Marshal detailed the agency’s strategies, including enhancing the National Vehicle Identification Scheme Portal, to detect and eliminate fake plates from circulation.
“We will not tolerate vehicles with fraudulent registration numbers on Nigerian roads. Despite resistance from some individuals, we remain committed to upholding the law,” Mohammed asserted.
He further highlighted the security implications of fake number plates, stating that they hinder efforts to track and identify vehicles involved in criminal activities.
Honourable Adesida reiterated the National Assembly’s support for the FRSC’s initiatives and called for legislative reinforcements to ensure offenders face appropriate penalties.
Concluding the meeting, the Corps Marshal urged motorists to use only authorized number plates and encouraged citizens to report any instances of fake registration to the nearest FRSC office, emphasizing the importance of collective action in ensuring safer roads in Nigeria.
