Fake Number Plates: NANS to assist FRSC
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has pledged to collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to combat the issue of fake number plates in the country.
Comrade Sunday Ashefon, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Affairs, who led the NANS delegation to the FRSC headquarters in Abuja, strongly condemned the proliferation of fake number plates, describing it as a threat to national security.
Comrade Ashefon emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s administration will not stand idly by while unscrupulous individuals undermine the efforts of the FRSC and other law enforcement agencies working to enhance citizen safety and security.
“NANS, as a reputable and recognized organization, will not tarnish its name by engaging in unlawful activities.”
Additionally, NANS President Lucky Omonefe commended the FRSC’s efforts under Mallam Shehu Mohammed’s leadership, stating that the association is prepared to support and collaborate with the Corps to achieve its corporate objectives.
He further clarified that the current NANS leadership is level-headed, focused, and eager for a fruitful partnership.
“I pledge that our administration is ready to engage members nationwide and educate them on the implications of using fake and unauthorized number plates.”
Earlier, Corps Marshal Mallam Shehu Mohammed explained that the ongoing special operations targeting number plate violations are crucial for enhancing safety and security.
Mallam Shehu Mohammed praised NANS for its commitment to working with the FRSC to restore order to the nation’s transport system.
“We appreciate NANS’s support and look forward to collaborating to reach our shared goal of ensuring road safety in Nigeria.”
The meeting between NANS and FRSC was aimed at raising awareness among students and the general public about the dangers of fake number plates and the importance of obtaining genuine plates from authorized sources.
On Monday, the Corps impounded about 60 vehicles in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, commencing a nationwide intervention patrol targeting number plate violations.
Fake number plates in Nigeria have posed a significant threat to security, law enforcement, and the integrity of the vehicle registration system.
Criminals often use counterfeit plates to evade authorities, making it difficult to track stolen vehicles, perpetrators of crimes, or traffic violators. Kidnappers, armed robbers, and fraudsters frequently exploit fake plates to move undetected, worsening the country’s security challenges.
Weaknesses in the vehicle registration and verification system have contributed to this issue. While the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has implemented the National Vehicle Identification System (NVIS), enforcement gaps still allow fake plates to circulate.
To curb this menace, authorities need to strengthen enforcement measures, improve public awareness, and introduce stricter penalties for offenders. Enhanced digital verification systems, crackdowns on illegal registration agents, and increased collaboration between security agencies could go a long way in addressing the problem.
Reporting by Kayode Oyedare; Editing by Oluwaseyi Ajibade
