Following the directive given by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, banning the use of SPY plate numbers nationwide, the Imo State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mohammed Barde, has warned Imo vehicle owners to comply or face the consequences.

This was contained in a statement issued, yesterday, by the Command’s Spokesman, Michael Abattam, noting that the enforcement became essential in view of its abuse.

It stated: “In line with IGP’s directive over ban on the use of SPY number plates by vehicle owners in the country, without exception as to whether it was procured with the authorisation of police or not, police in Imo are set to enforce the revocation directive.

“By this revocation, the Commissioner of Police, Imo Command, CP Mohammed Barde, warns all private individuals, companies or group of companies, who had been using or have just procured the SPY number plates for their use to immediately revert back to the original registered number plates of their vehicles.

“The ban became inevitable because of abuse of traffic rules and regulations, and other extant laws guiding the use of Police SPY Number Plates.”

Also, the statement warned those using artificial tinted glasses and covered plate numbers to either remove them or face the law.

“In the same vein, the command warns that apart from vehicles with factory tinted glasses, all other vehicles with artificial tinted glasses, those covering their car number plates or replaced their number plates with the vehicle designed logo, should remove them or have vehicles impounded, as well as made to face the law.”

The CP continued: “Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police has mandated all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Commanders of the various units to ensure strict enforcement of this directives with diligence and professionalism, as anyone found complicit or feigns ignorance of this warning, if caught, would be made to face the law.”