The Cross River State Police Command has impounded 25 vehicles for operating without registration plates and for using covered, altered, defaced or unauthorised dealer number plates as part of a nationwide enforcement exercise ordered by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu.
The operation, carried out on July 3, 2026, targeted motorists violating vehicle registration regulations within the Calabar metropolis.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday and made available to journalists in Calabar.
According to him, the affected motorists have been subjected to the necessary administrative and legal procedures and are currently being prosecuted in line with existing laws.
“The Cross River State Police Command has successfully intensified the enforcement of the ongoing nationwide directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on vehicles operating without registration plates or with covered, altered, defaced, unauthorised dealer number plates, or obscured registration plates.
“As part of the enforcement operation carried out within Calabar Metropolis on July 3, 2026, the Command intercepted 25 vehicles found in violation of the directive. The offenders have been subjected to the appropriate administrative and legal procedures and are being prosecuted in accordance with the relevant provisions of the law,” Eitokpah said.
He explained that the exercise is aimed at strengthening public safety by improving vehicle identification and preventing criminals from exploiting concealed or unregistered vehicles to evade law enforcement.
According to the police spokesperson, the enforcement aligns with ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Police Force to promote intelligence-led and proactive policing while enhancing public security across the country.
“The Cross River State Police Command reiterates its commitment to intelligence-led, proactive, and community-focused policing. Members of the public are urged to comply with all traffic and vehicle registration regulations, as the enforcement exercise will continue across the state,” he added.
The command also appealed to residents to cooperate with security agencies by complying with vehicle registration requirements and reporting suspicious persons or activities through the Nigeria Police Force’s designated emergency lines.
The latest operation forms part of a nationwide crackdown on vehicles operating without valid registration plates or using obscured number plates, a measure the police say is intended to curb criminal activities and improve the effectiveness of security operations across the country.