About 50 vehicles were impounded across Lagos on Monday as the Lagos Police Command begins statewide clampdown on vehicles with covered, obscured, unauthorised, defaced or without registration number plates.

The action complied with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, aimed at enhancing public safety, strengthening security, and denying criminal elements the opportunity to conceal their identities and activities.

Confirming this development, the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, said more were still coming in as others were at the divisional level or area commands. He warned that impounded vehicles might be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to motorists who ignored earlier warnings.

He stressed the security risks of obscured plates, noting that such vehicles could be used by criminals to evade detection by road cameras. Tijani explained: “If criminals use vehicles with covered plates for crime, even our cameras cannot capture anything. If the vehicle is stolen, tracking becomes nearly impossible.”

Urging motorists, transport operators, fleet owners and members of the public to ensure that their vehicles carry valid, duly issued and clearly visible registration number plates at all times, Tijani warned all motorists that the exercise is serious and will be continuous.