The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has commenced the second section of its particular intervention patrol, code-named Operation Gaduma, with a five-day crackdown on pretend, lined, defaced and obsolete vehicle number plates throughout chosen states.
The Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Osondu Ohaeri, disclosed this in an announcement issued on Saturday, October 31, 2026, in Abuja, stating that the operation would run from Monday, November 2, to Friday, November 6.
The train is a part of renewed efforts to strengthen street security enforcement and handle safety issues related to the illegal use of vehicle registration plates.
FRSC begins five-day number plate crackdown
Ohaeri stated the intervention, authorised by the Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, can be carried out throughout chosen states, with designated senior officers deployed to coordinate and supervise the train.
He defined that the second section builds on the primary operation carried out in May 2026, which recorded 1,691 arrests throughout 11 states.
According to him, the arrests from the primary section concerned a number of offences, together with:
1,003 motorists apprehended for varied number plate-related offences.
683 motorists arrested for overloading and mixed-loading.
Five individuals arrested for utilizing pretend diplomatic number plates.
Ohaeri stated the figures demonstrated the size of the problem and the necessity for sustained enforcement in opposition to vehicle registration violations.
He added that the renewed intervention adopted issues raised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) over the rising use of pretend vehicle registration plates, together with lined, defaced, obsolete and counterfeit diplomatic plates.
The Corps stated the five-day train would focus on figuring out autos working with fraudulent or unrecognisable registration plates, whereas strengthening accountability amongst motorists.
Links pretend plates to safety dangers
Ohaeri stated the safety implications of the development have been important, given the significance of street transportation to the motion of individuals and items throughout the nation.
He defined that autos working with hid or fraudulent registration plates may make it troublesome for safety businesses to determine them, monitor their actions and examine felony actions.
The assertion quoted him as saying:
“The Corps is concerned that vehicles operating with unidentifiable or fraudulent registration plates create opportunities for criminal elements to evade identification, compromise security surveillance and frustrate investigations.”
“Consequently, Operation Guduma is designed to complement national security efforts by strengthening vehicle identification and ensuring greater accountability among road users.”
Beyond the crackdown on number plate violations, the operation can even prioritise visitors administration alongside designated corridors, emergency rescue interventions and the immediate clearance of street obstructions.
Ohaeri stated the Corps Marshal had reaffirmed the FRSC’s dedication to tackling practices that threaten street security and undermine nationwide safety.
He added that using pretend, hid, defaced or obsolete vehicle number plates would not be handled as a minor visitors infraction due to its wider implications for public security.
The Corps Marshal additionally directed personnel to hold out their duties with professionalism, self-discipline and respect for residents’ rights, significantly when partaking autos displaying diplomatic number plates, which should be dealt with consistent with relevant diplomatic protocols.
What it is best to know
The newest operation follows earlier FRSC enforcement efforts to handle using pretend and unauthorised vehicle registration plates throughout Nigeria.
In March 2025, the Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, stated the company had arrested 7,798 individuals across the nation in two months over offences involving pretend vehicle number plates.
He stated the Corps encountered resistance from some vehicle homeowners utilizing pretend registration plates however remained dedicated to imposing the related laws.
Mohammed additionally warned that the rising use of pretend or unauthorised number plates had severe safety implications as a result of it may hinder the power of safety businesses to determine and observe autos linked to felony actions.
He referred to as for stronger help from the National Assembly to enhance enforcement and be certain that offenders have been prosecuted.
The Corps Marshal additionally counseled lawmakers for his or her contributions to street security and safety efforts, urging them to work with the FRSC to strengthen present legal guidelines and enforcement measures.
The newest five-day operation is one other section of the Corps’ efforts to handle vehicle identification violations and enhance compliance with street security necessities.
