The acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, has banned the covering of vehicle number plates by all unauthorised vehicle users across the country.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Frank Mba, announced in a statement on Tuesday that the proscription was with immediate effect.
He said the police gave the order following intelligence report that the unwholesome practice may be deployed by some unscrupulous persons to commit electoral related offences before, during and after the governorship and house of assembly elections holding on Saturday.
Apart from the possible threats to the polls, the IGP also noted that the covering of vehicle number plate was a clear breach of the Road Traffic Act and other relevant laws of the land.
He added that it could impact negatively on national security and safety, as well as has the capacity to heighten criminal activities and engender an atmosphere of lawlessness.
Mr Adamu added that using covered plate numbers could shield perpetrators of crime and place unnecessary pressure on security agencies in their routine crime prevention and monitoring tasks.
He, therefore, directs all Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the zonal and state commands to strictly enforce the restriction order at their various Areas of Responsibilities (AOR).
The police boss also asked the AIGs and CPs to ensure that all defaulters were dealt with according to the law.
He, however, warned that any security personnel found escorting their principal with an unmarked vehicle or those with masked vehicle number plates would be arrested and dealt with accordingly.
