FRSC to clampdown on fake diplomatic, unauthorized number plates

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has concluded a plan to clampdown on fake diplomatic and unauthorised number plates on vehicles across Nigerian roads.

A statement issued by the Assistant Corps Marshal and Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, explained that, “the directive issued by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed is part of efforts to strengthen national security and curb criminal activities facilitated by fraudulent vehicle identification.”

The statement explained that the fake number plates, including inscriptions such as Diplomatic Number Plates, NYCN, Peace Ambassador, NAUS, CYMS, UN-Unity 01, UN-AMB, and NANS, among others, are neither produced by the FRSC’s official plants nor issued by state motor licensing authorities.

“In line with his administration’s proactive approach towards contributing to enhancing national security, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed has directed the immediate clampdown on confirmed cases of the proliferation of fake diplomatic and other unauthorised number plates as seen on some vehicles plying Nigerian roads.

“These identified number plates are fraudulently produced by suspected criminals as they were neither produced by any of the production plants of the Federal Road Safety Corps in the country nor issued by the Motor Licensing Authorities of States,” part of the statement read.

The statement said that vehicles found using the unauthorised plates would be impounded, and their owners prosecuted, adding that the FRSC will collaborate with other security agencies to trace and shut down the sources of those fake plates, ensuring that both producers and users were held accountable.

The statement cautioned the public to report individuals using such number plates to law enforcement agencies.