FRSC Arrests 847 Motorists Over Number Plate Violations In Cross River
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has arrested 847 motorists in Cross River State over various number plate violations in the past 12 months.
The Sector Commander of the FRSC in Cross River, Innocent Etuk, disclosed this on Tuesday in Calabar during a news conference to inaugurate the second phase of Operation Guduma.
Etuk said the offences involved the use of covered, falsified and faded vehicle number plates, noting that motorcycles accounted for a significant proportion of the violations, particularly in Ogoja and other northern parts of the state.
He said the command would intensify enforcement to address the growing abuse of vehicle registration numbers and strengthen road safety and national security.
According to him, the command’s Motor Vehicle Administration Department would collaborate with the FRSC headquarters to verify vehicle registration details on the national database.
He warned that vehicles whose registration particulars could not be verified would be impounded for further investigation.
Earlier, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, said there would be no exemptions in the enforcement of regulations against motorists using covered, falsified or faded number plates.
Mohammed, who was represented by the Corps Armament Officer, Jerry Undelikwo, said Operation Guduma Phase 2 would run from November 3 to November 6 across the country.
He explained that the exercise would be conducted in collaboration with sister security agencies to apprehend offenders, including motorists who deploy armed security personnel to evade arrest.
The Corps Marshal warned that the misuse of vehicle number plates posed serious threats to national security, as criminals could exploit government or diplomatic registration numbers to transport arms and abducted persons without attracting suspicion.
He added that offenders would be prosecuted through mobile courts or handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation and prosecution.
Mohammed stressed that enforcement activities would continue beyond the special operation, urging motorists to comply with vehicle registration requirements and other traffic regulations.
He said the exercise was aimed at improving road safety, strengthening national security and ending the abuse of vehicle number plates across the country.
