Police Inspector General Usman Baba has ordered the suspension of the issuance of contaminated glass permits and SPY number plates for vehicles across the country.
Baba revealed this during a conference with strategic Nigerian police commanders in Abuja on Monday.
He said SPY license plates were intended for the official use of certain categories of legal persons, while contaminated glass permits were issued on the basis of certain statutory regulations.
According to him, several people have recently turned the use of SPY license plates and contaminated glasses into status symbols and fraudulently obtained such.
“As a result, the issuance of SPY license plates and tinted glass permits is now suspended.
“The existing permits are being revised and a protocol to regulate the issuance of these permits will be developed.
“In due course, an enforcement mechanism that will apply the standardized process for issuing SPY plate numbers and contaminated glasses will be implemented across the country,” he said.
Baba said the Nigerian police will work closely with the leadership of the Federal Road Safety Commission for effective implementation.
He said the practice of some motorists covering their registration numbers hampered law enforcement operations in the country and would not be tolerated.
He therefore called on police commissioners across the country to ensure that motorists involved in concealing their registration numbers are stopped.
He called on police commissioners to review and strengthen security around all command headquarters and other police stations within their jurisdiction. in order to deter or repel any attempt to attack the installations.
Baba said the Nigerian police assets are essential national security assets that must be defended against insurgents and arsonists, as the constitution provides.
He warned police commissioners against allowing their officers to unnecessarily and indiscriminately seize vehicles at police stations.
The IG said police facilities were not dumping grounds, adding that making one would create a vulnerability that often breeds attacks.
He urged police commissioners to undertake major operations in their commands to clear all vehicles impounded indiscriminately from stations.
“I have received information that some police commissioners still allow the installation of roadblocks in their jurisdictions.
“For the avoidance of doubt, roadblocks, in whatever description or appearance, remain prohibited throughout the country and any officer who violates this order will be responsible and dealt with firmly.
“Society has evolved and as law enforcement officers, we must align our police strategies with this societal dynamic,” he said.
He said the police leadership is currently reviewing the security situation ahead of the June 12 Democracy Day celebration with a view to ensuring a smooth exercise.
Baba said details of the review will be part of the discussions at the strategic police commanders’ conference.
He called on officers to remain calm with law-abiding citizens, but firm with any person or group who would use the June 12 exercise to threaten the internal security order.
