By The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has ordered a total ban on the use of supernumerary police (SPY) number plates across the states of the federation without exceptions.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, made this known in a statement on Wednesday, saying the authorizations of the number plates have been revoked.
“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 statement read in part.
“The IGP has therefore directed that police officers and officers of other security agencies attached to VIPs who use the SPY number plates should ensure prompt compliance with this directive or risk being arrested for violation of the order.
“Meanwhile, the IGP has directed Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the thirty-six (36) States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), to give full effect to the directives as contained above.”
Adejobi added that the IGP specifically directed the AIGs and CPs to ensure that all SPY number plates currently in use are confiscated henceforth but the owners of such vehicles should not be arrested unless they are police officers or officers of other security agencies on escort duties.
The IGP also warned that while carrying out these assignments, officers must ensure the rights and privileges of citizens are respected in line with the laws of the land and in accordance with international best practices.
In June, the IGP had ordered the suspension on issuance of SPY number plates in the country.
