The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has intercepted five vehicles allegedly using fake diplomatic number plates and recorded 6,454 other traffic violations during the second phase of its nationwide enforcement operation, Operation GUDUMA II.
The five-day operation, conducted between November 2 and 6, covered 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as part of efforts to tackle vehicle identity fraud and enforce compliance with traffic regulations.
In a statement issued on November 10 by the Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, the FRSC disclosed that enforcement teams also recorded more than 1,600 number plate-related violations during the exercise.
The operation was carried out in Lagos, Ondo, Cross River, Benue, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Bauchi, Imo, Abia, Kano and the FCT.
According to the Corps, the exercise followed concerns raised by the National Assembly and the Office of the National Security Adviser over the security implications of fraudulent vehicle registration and unauthorised use of diplomatic number plates.
The FRSC noted that fake or unauthorised number plates could enable motorists to evade law enforcement, conceal their identities and undermine national security.
A comparison with the first phase of Operation GUDUMA showed a significant increase in detected violations. The initial operation recorded 1,003 number plate-related offences and 683 other traffic violations.
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The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to tackling vehicle identity fraud, stressing that number plates are essential tools for vehicle identification, tracking and national security.
He added that the operation would be expanded to more states, with improved personnel deployment, intelligence-led enforcement and collaboration with other security agencies.
The FRSC consequently warned motorists against using fake, concealed, unauthorised or improperly displayed number plates, urging vehicle owners to ensure their registration documents and plates comply with existing regulations.
The Corps maintained that no motorist is above the law, assuring Nigerians that enforcement efforts would continue nationwide.
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