Police in Sokoto State have announced the reactivation of Operation Velvet, an enforcement exercise aimed at improving road safety, traffic regulations and maintaining order across the state.

The police spokesman in the state, Ahmad Rufa’i, said the operation would officially commence on Thursday, August 13, 2026.

According to the statement, the exercise would focus on enforcing traffic regulations, particularly offences involving tinted glass permits, one-way driving, vehicle registration and the use of fake or obscured number plates.

The police warned that vehicles without valid tinted glass permits would be sanctioned, while motorists caught driving against oncoming traffic, popularly known as “one-way,” would face decisive enforcement action.

The command said unregistered or improperly registered vehicles would be impounded, while vehicles found with counterfeit, forged or unauthorised number plates would be confiscated and their owners prosecuted.

It also warned motorists against covering, tinting, bending or otherwise obscuring their number plates, stressing that all plates must remain clearly visible and legible at all times.

Other offences to be strictly enforced under the operation include reckless driving, overloading, disobedience to traffic signals and driving without a valid driver’s licence.

The statement further quoted the Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, said the operation would be conducted with professionalism, civility and restraint.

He however directed officers deployed for the exercise to respect the fundamental human rights and dignity of motorists and other road users.

He warned that acts of extortion, harassment, intimidation or other forms of misconduct by police personnel would not be tolerated.

The police boss advised road users to remove any covering or obstruction from their number plates, obtain valid tinted glass permits where applicable and adhere strictly to traffic regulations, particularly the prohibition against one-way driving.

The Commissioner further encouraged members of the public to report cases of police misconduct, rights violations or make enquiries through the command’s Complaint Response Unit.