The Inspector-General of Police IGP) Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered a total ban on use of Police SPY vehicle number plates by vehicle owners across the states of the federation without exceptions.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated this in a statement on Wednesday.
The FPRO said the police boss has directed the Assistant Inspectors General (AIGs) and the 36 Commissioners of Police (CPs) in all the Commands to ensure full compliance with the directives.
The IGP also directed the AIGs and CPs to confiscate all ‘SPY’ number plates currently in use, but should not arrest owners of such vehicles unless they are police officers or officers of other security agencies on escort duties.
Accordingly, the IGP has directed police officers and officers of other security agencies attached to VIPs who use the ‘SPY’ number plates to ensure full compliance with the directive or risk being arrested for violation of the order.
“This is irrespective of whether it is authorised, or not, as all authorizations are hereby revoked indefinitely.
“This order is necessary to forestall the continuous disregard for traffic rules and regulations and other extant laws guiding road use by individuals hiding under the privileges of SPY police number plates” the FPRO said.
The police spokesman, however, warned that while carrying out the assignments, officers must ensure that the rights and privileges of citizens were respected in line with the laws of the land and in accordance with international best practices.
He said: “Other security agencies and members of the public are enjoined to cooperate with the police in this regard as the moves are aimed at strengthening our internal security.”