According to a statement from the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Nigeria Police has declared that it is a criminal offense for motorists to cover their number plates without valid reasons.
Adejobi emphasized the mandatory requirement for registration numbers to be visible at all times and denounced the common occurrence of vehicle owners and drivers covering their number plates without any legitimate reasons, stating that this is not only incorrect but also constitutes a criminal act.
He further highlighted the compulsory nature of making registration numbers visible at all times for all vehicles. However, he noted exceptions for “pennant officers” and heads of the three arms of the government, executive, legislative, and judiciary, who are permitted to use pennants or flags on their official cars, with the understanding that the seal of their offices or ranks (for military or police) accompanies their numbers and pennants. It was also specified that the pennant must be lowered and their numbers covered when it is 6 pm, or when they are not present in the car while their drivers are operating the vehicles.
Notably, the police has consistently imposed a ban on the unauthorized use of unmarked vehicles and covered number plates throughout the country.
