Ogun State Police Command, Abuja Police Command and other Police Commands across the state of the federation, have arrested 89 motorists suspected of breaching the Registration of Vehicle Number Plates (VAN) regulations in the State during the operation which is aimed at making the state more secure and better able to detect and apprehend criminals involved in the business of terrorism.
In compliance with the instructions of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, who ordered a nationwide crackdown on vehicles without registration plate, covered, altered, fake or obscured number plate. Police officials claimed that violations give it a cloak of anonymity to the criminals involved in kidnapping, armed robbery or any other kind of violence.
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In the statement, a command’s spokesman, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said during the enforcement exercise, 89 motorists had been arrested while proper legal and administrative action has already been taken against the culprits because of the downturn in the nation’s fuel market.
Because of the downturn of the nationwide fuel market, 89 motorists were arrested in the said exercise,” Babaseyi said, adding that proper legal and administrative exercise has been initiated against the offenders.
None of this is being done to control congestion, there’s more to it than that, Babaseyi said, because it is a preventive policing initiative that aims to increase the traceability of vehicles, improve the intelligence process and facilitate criminal investigations.
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He said the exercise would be conducted throughout the state of Ogun demanding drivers ensure motor vehicles have valid and well displayed registration number plates.
Meanwhile, the command said it had arrested a suspected armed robber, Abdulsalam Adam, as part of a coordinated action in coordination with the Osun State So-Safe Corps, local vigil launch pads and residents of Odagboa in Ogere Division of the state’s local government.
The suspect and gang members have been reported to have broken into an Akuro Phase I home in Ogere Remo and robbed two motorcycles, mobile phones, cash and other valuables. The thieves were immediately alerted to the security measures taken and had to drop off the stolen motorcycles and get into the bush. Adam was subsequently arrested in pursuit by the searches.
At the scene, investigators found one knife, one empty cartridge, and one broken padlock, but continue to search for additional gang members who were escaping the scene.
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It has been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) based in Eleweran for further investigation. The command also announced the arrest of another robber suspect Israel Salako, during subsequent operations.
The police repeated its pledge to continue with intelligence-led policing for the protection of life and property and pleaded the people not to afford endangering to security agencies if they have any credible and timely information to share.
