IGP bans use of SPY police license plate numbers

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered a total ban on all use of Police SPY vehicle number plates by vehicle owners across the states ‘without exceptions’.

“This is irrespective of whether it is authorized, or not, as all authorizations are hereby revoked indefinitely,” police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi said in a statement on Wednesday.

Adejobi stated that the order is 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 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,” he said

“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.”

The police spokesman noted that the IGP has 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.

Adejobi said the IGP has instructed officers on duty to ensure the rights and privileges of citizens are respected in line with the laws of the land and in accordance with international best practices.