The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has launched a special enforcement operation against the use of cloned and unauthorised diplomatic number plates in Nasarawa State.
The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, disclosed this on Monday in Lafia during the flag-off of the exercise.
Mohammed, represented by Mr Ayengba Gabriel-Okpe, said the operation was aimed at restoring order on the roads and curbing the abuse of diplomatic privileges by unauthorised motorists.
According to him, intelligence reports indicated an increase in the use of counterfeit diplomatic number plates by private vehicle owners to evade traffic regulations, toll payments and security checks.
“Diplomatic number plates are issued strictly to accredited diplomats and foreign missions in line with international conventions.
“The abuse of these plates by unauthorised persons undermines national security and public order,” he said.
The corps marshal warned that offenders caught with fake diplomatic number plates would face prosecution under the FRSC Act and other relevant laws.
He added that vehicles found with such plates would be impounded for verification and possible prosecution.
Mohammed urged motorists to desist from the illegal practice and called on members of the public to report suspicious cases to the nearest FRSC command.
He said the exercise would be sustained until sanity was restored on the roads.
Also speaking, Mr Yahaya Sabo-Adikwu, the Nasarawa State Sector Commander of the FRSC, said personnel from various units had commenced stop-and-search operations on major highways and entry points into Lafia and other parts of the state.
Sabo-Adikwu said the command was determined to rid the state of fake diplomatic number plates.
He added that the operation was also part of efforts to ensure a crash-free Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The sector commander advised motorists to obey traffic regulations and avoid speeding, dangerous overtaking and mixed loading to reduce road crashes in the state.
