IGP Bans Use Of Spy Number Plates Nationwide Over Insecurity

· Orders Seizure, Reversal To Original Registered Number Plates

In efforts to fight insecurity in the country, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered a total ban on the use of Police SPY Vehicle Number Plates across the country.
According to the directive, the ban comes without exceptions as all authorisations stand revoked indefinitely, stressing that it will not take cognizance of the fact that the plate number was earlier authorised or not.
This was revealed in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Force Headquarters, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi and made available to newsmen.
“The order is necessary to forestall the continuous disregard for traffic rules and regulations and other extant laws guiding road use by individuals hiding under the privileges of SPY Police number plates. The IGP has, therefore, directed that police officer and officers of other security agencies attached to VIPs, who use the SPY number plates should ensure prompt compliance with the directive or risk being arrested for violation of the order.
“Meanwhile, the IGP has directed Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja as well as their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) to give full effect to the directives as contained above.
“The IGP specifically directed the AIGs and CPs to ensure that all SPY number plates currently in use are confiscated henceforth but the owners of such vehicles should not be arrested unless they are Police officers or officers of other security agencies on escort duties,” the statement reads.
But the IGP warned that while carrying out the assignments, officers must ensure that the rights and privileges of citizens are respected in line with the laws of the land and in accordance with international best practices.
“Other security agencies and members of the public are enjoined to cooperate with the Police in this regard as the moves are aimed at strengthening our internal security,” the statement added.