Rahab Yusuf
Kano State Police Command has announced the commencement of a full-scale enforcement operation against the use of covered number plates, defaced registration numbers, and vehicles operating without valid number plates across the state.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said the enforcement, which takes immediate effect, is being carried out under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, and will be implemented across Kano metropolis and all 44 local government areas of the state.
According to the statement, the Command has observed an increasing trend of motorists deliberately covering, tampering with or removing vehicle number plates, a practice that undermines crime prevention and investigation efforts.
“Covered or missing number plates make it difficult for security agencies to identify vehicles used in criminal activities such as armed robbery, kidnapping, Daba thuggery, drug trafficking, and other offences.
“This act contravenes Section 10(3) of the Road Traffic Act, 2004 and Regulation 38 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, which mandate that every vehicle must display clearly visible and authentic registration numbers at all times.
“Visible vehicle identification is critical to public safety in Kano, a state with 78 police divisions and 11 area commands serving a rapidly growing population,” the statement added.
The enforcement operation will target vehicles with covered or defaced plates, unreadable number plates, vehicles using fake and unauthorised plates, mismatched registration numbers, and vehicles operating without both front and rear number plates.
The Police warned that offending vehicles would be impounded and their drivers prosecuted, stressing that there would be no room for discretion or compromise.
Vehicle owners were advised to ensure their vehicles are duly registered with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), maintain clear and standard number plates on both the front and rear of their vehicles, remove any form of covering or obstruction on number plates, and report vehicles operating without proper registration to the nearest police station.
According to the Command, the exercise is not intended to harass law-abiding citizens but to enhance security and public safety across the state.
It appealed to community leaders, transport unions, and members of the public to cooperate with officers during the enforcement exercise. Complaints or reports of misconduct by police personnel can be forwarded to the Command’s Complaint Response Unit through the designated telephone line: 09134558533 or 08115657624
