FRSC Launches Second Phase of Operation Gaduma To Tackle Fake Number Plates
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has launched the second phase of its special intervention patrol, code-named Operation Gaduma, to tackle the use of fake, covered, defaced and obsolete vehicle number plates across Nigeria.
The five-day operation will run from Monday, November 2, to Friday, November 6, 2026, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen road safety enforcement and address security concerns associated with fraudulent vehicle registration plates.
The FRSC spokesperson, Osondu Ohaeri, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, explaining that the exercise was approved by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, and would be conducted across selected states under the supervision of designated senior officers.
According to Ohaeri, the second phase builds on the achievements of the first operation, conducted in May 2026, which resulted in 1,691 arrests across 11 states.
He explained that 1,003 motorists were apprehended for various number plate-related offences, while 683 were arrested for overloading and mixed-loading. Five other persons were arrested for using fake diplomatic number plates.
He said the figures highlighted the scale of the problem and the need for sustained enforcement to ensure compliance with vehicle registration regulations.
Ohaeri noted that the renewed operation followed concerns raised by the Office of the National Security Adviser over the increasing use of fraudulent vehicle registration plates, including counterfeit diplomatic plates.
He warned that vehicles operating with fake or unidentifiable number plates could enable criminal elements to evade identification, undermine security surveillance and frustrate investigations.
According to him, Operation Gaduma is designed to complement national security efforts by improving vehicle identification and promoting greater accountability among motorists.
Beyond enforcing number plate regulations, the operation will also focus on maintaining free-flowing traffic along designated routes, conducting emergency rescue operations and ensuring the prompt removal of road obstructions.
The FRSC spokesperson stressed that offences involving fake, concealed, defaced or obsolete number plates would no longer be treated as minor traffic violations because of their implications for public safety and national security.
He urged motorists to ensure that their vehicle registration plates are genuine, valid, clearly visible and properly displayed, while calling on members of the public to cooperate with FRSC personnel during the exercise.
Ohaeri added that the Corps Marshal had directed officers participating in the operation to carry out their duties with professionalism, discipline and respect for citizens’ rights.
He said Mohammed also emphasised that encounters involving vehicles with diplomatic number plates must be handled courteously and in line with established diplomatic protocols.
The operation forms part of the FRSC’s broader efforts to improve compliance with traffic regulations, strengthen vehicle identification and enhance safety and security on Nigerian roads.
