The Ogun State Police Command has arrested 89 motorists for violating the Inspector-General of Police’s directive on vehicles operating without registration number plates or with concealed, altered or obscured plates, describing the offences as a threat to public safety and national security.
The command also announced the arrest of two suspected armed robbers in separate operations, with security operatives recovering a stolen vehicle and two motorcycles as part of ongoing efforts to combat crime across the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed the developments in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to Babaseyi, the enforcement exercise followed a nationwide directive by the Inspector-General of Police aimed at tackling the use of unregistered or improperly identified vehicles, which are often exploited by criminal elements.
“During the operations, 89 vehicles and their drivers were apprehended for violating the directive. Appropriate administrative and legal actions have been taken against the offenders in accordance with extant laws and established procedures, including prosecution where applicable,” he said.
He explained that the exercise forms part of a strategic preventive policing initiative designed to improve vehicle traceability, strengthen intelligence gathering, facilitate prompt investigations and deny criminals the anonymity often used to commit offences.
Babaseyi added that the enforcement campaign would continue across Ogun State, warning that all violators would face the full weight of the law.
In a separate operation, operatives of the Ogere Police Division, working alongside the Ogun State So-Safe Corps, local vigilantes and members of the community, foiled an armed robbery attack at Akuro Phase I, Ogere Remo, on Thursday.
According to the police, the suspects had invaded a residence and robbed occupants of two motorcycles, mobile phones, cash and other valuables before attempting to flee.
The swift response by security personnel forced the suspects to abandon the two stolen motorcycles and escape into a nearby bush.
One suspect, identified as Israel Salako, was subsequently arrested and is assisting police with ongoing investigations. Efforts are continuing to apprehend other members of the gang and recover additional stolen property.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended officers involved in the successful operations for their professionalism, vigilance and prompt response.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing through sustained visibility patrols, strategic stop-and-search operations, rapid response to emergency calls, community engagement and proactive intelligence gathering.
Ojajuni urged motorists to comply with all vehicle registration requirements and advised residents to remain security-conscious by boarding commercial vehicles only at recognised motor parks and designated loading points.
He also warned against using unbranded vehicles or private vehicles operating illegally as commercial transport and encouraged travellers to share their journey details with trusted family members or friends whenever possible.
The Commissioner further appealed to members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to assist the police in preventing crime and responding swiftly to security threats.
He assured residents that the Ogun State Police Command would maintain sustained pressure on criminal elements and continue implementing proactive security measures to safeguard lives and property across the state.
