The Ogun State Police Command has linked proper vehicle registration and lawful use of number plates to the prevention of car theft, abduction, one-chance robbery and other crimes involving stolen or unidentified vehicles.
The Command said vehicle identity provides investigators with information needed to establish ownership, trace vehicles and identify those reported stolen or connected to criminal activity, as it intensifies enforcement under Operation VELVET, an initiative of Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, said the operation goes beyond traffic enforcement, stressing that accurate vehicle identification strengthens police intelligence and public safety.
Babaseyi also clarified the circumstances under which dealership number plates may be used, amid the potential for such plates to be misunderstood or improperly used by motorists.
He said dealership plates are issued under a trade licence and are intended for authorised dealership activities rather than routine private use.
According to him, an authorised dealer may use a dealership plate when moving a vehicle from its point of arrival to the dealer’s premises, testing a vehicle after it has been received, assembled or repaired, allowing a prospective buyer to inspect or test it, transferring the vehicle in the normal course of dealership business, or delivering it to a purchaser.
He stressed that the plate must be used by an authorised person, for an authorised purpose and in accordance with the conditions of the relevant trade licence.
“It is not for routine private use, carrying passengers or goods for reward, or concealing the identity of a vehicle,” he said.
Babaseyi said vehicles registered for ordinary road use should display their assigned registration numbers, noting that concealed, altered or improperly used plates could create opportunities for criminals to evade identification.
“When a vehicle is properly identified, the Police can establish ownership, trace its movement and act when it is reported stolen or connected to a crime,” he said.
He said the vehicle identification component of Operation VELVET would support the detection and recovery of stolen vehicles, strengthen criminal investigations and improve intelligence gathering.
The Command urged motorists and vehicle dealers to complete proper registration, use the appropriate number plates and keep their vehicle documents valid.
It also encouraged members of the public to report suspicious activities involving vehicles, stressing that public vigilance remains an important part of crime prevention.
“Identification is intelligence. Intelligence is prevention. Prevention is everybody’s business,” Babaseyi said.