ABEOKUTA – The Ogun State Police Command has warned motorists and vehicle dealers against the improper use of dealership number plates, saying proper vehicle identification is critical to preventing crime and tracing stolen vehicles.
The command said the warning was part of Operation Velvet, an initiative of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Rilwan Disu, aimed at strengthening vehicle identification, intelligence gathering and public safety.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said proper registration and the use of valid number plates enable law enforcement agencies to establish vehicle ownership, trace vehicles and identify those reported stolen or linked to criminal activities.
According to him, effective vehicle identification can support efforts to tackle crimes such as car theft, one-chance robbery, abduction and the movement of stolen vehicles.
Babaseyi also clarified the circumstances under which dealership plates may be used, stressing that they were not intended to give motorists unrestricted access to unregistered vehicles.
He explained that a dealership plate was issued under a trade licence and could be used by an authorised motor-vehicle dealer for specific activities connected with the movement and sale of vehicles.
He said such uses included moving a newly arrived vehicle from its point of arrival to the dealer’s premises; testing a vehicle after it had been received, assembled or repaired; and allowing a prospective buyer to inspect or test-drive it.
The plate could also be used when a vehicle was being transferred in the normal course of the dealer’s business or delivered to a purchaser.
Babaseyi stressed that the use of a dealership plate must be by an authorised person, for an authorised purpose and in accordance with the conditions of the trade licence.
He said dealership plates should not be used for routine private activities, carrying passengers or goods for reward, or concealing the identity of a vehicle.
The police spokesperson added that once a vehicle had been registered for ordinary use, it should display its assigned registration number.
He said concealing, altering or improperly using number plates could create opportunities for criminals to evade identification and make stolen vehicles more difficult to trace.
“Identification is intelligence. Intelligence is prevention. Prevention is everybody’s business,” Babaseyi said.
He urged motorists and dealers to ensure that their vehicles were properly registered, appropriate number plates were displayed and all relevant documents remained valid.
The command also called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the police.
“See Something. Say Something,” the command advised, adding: “Vigilance is a virtue. Panic is not.”
The police said Operation Velvet was intended to strengthen the detection and recovery of stolen vehicles, support criminal investigations and improve intelligence gathering as part of efforts to enhance public safety.
