The Federal Road Safety Corps has arrested 7,798 individuals in the past two months as part of an intensified crackdown on number plate-related offenses.
The surge in arrests follows the FRSC’s efforts to curb the rising use of fake vehicle registration plates, which pose serious risks to public safety and national security.
FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, disclosed the figures in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the crackdown has received full backing from the National Assembly.
On Tuesday, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on FRSC, Abiodun Adesida, assured the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, of the Assembly’s support during a meeting to address the growing issue of fake number plates.
During the meeting, the Corps Marshal highlighted measures being taken to combat the problem, including enhancing the National Vehicle Identification Scheme Portal.
He emphasized that vehicles with counterfeit registration numbers would not be allowed on Nigerian roads, despite resistance from some motorists.
“This trend poses significant security risks as it hinders efforts by security agencies to track and identify vehicles involved in criminal activities,” Mohammed stated.
The National Assembly’s endorsement of the FRSC’s initiative is expected to strengthen the fight against the proliferation of fake number plates. Adesida called for stronger collaboration between the Assembly and the Corps, stressing the need for tougher laws to hold offenders accountable.
The Corps Marshal urged Nigerians to support the FRSC’s efforts by ensuring their vehicles have valid number plates and reporting any instances of fake plates to the nearest FRSC Command.
