FRSC Impounds Five Vehicles With Fake Diplomatic Plates, Records 6,454 Traffic Offences

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has intercepted five vehicles operating with fake diplomatic number plates and recorded 6,454 other traffic violations during the second phase of its nationwide Operation Guduma II.

The operation, which was conducted between November 2 and 6, covered 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with over 1,600 number plate-related violations also uncovered.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, the FRSC said the exercise was designed to combat vehicle identity fraud and enforce compliance with vehicle registration and traffic regulations.

The states covered during the operation include Lagos, Ondo, Cross River, Benue, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Bauchi, Imo, Abia and Kano, alongside the FCT.

The Corps explained that the second phase of the operation was approved by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, following concerns raised by the National Assembly and the Office of the National Security Adviser over the security implications of vehicle identity violations.

According to the FRSC, the latest operation recorded a significant increase in detected offences compared with the first phase, which recorded 1,003 number plate-related violations and 683 other traffic offences.

Mohammed stressed that the Corps would not tolerate the use of fraudulent vehicle documents by motorists to conceal their identities, evade law enforcement or undermine national security.

He described number plates as essential instruments for vehicle identification, traceability and effective law enforcement, adding that the nationwide operation would be sustained and extended to other states.

The FRSC consequently warned motorists against the use of fake, unauthorised, concealed or improperly displayed number plates, urging vehicle owners to ensure that their vehicles carry duly registered and approved number plates.