The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has commenced the second section of its particular intervention patrol, code-named Operation Gaduma, with a five-day crackdown on faux, coated, defaced and obsolete vehicle number plates throughout chosen states.
The Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Osondu Ohaeri, disclosed this in a press release issued on Saturday, October 31, 2026, in Abuja, stating that the operation would run from Monday, November 2, to Friday, November 6.
The train is a part of renewed efforts to strengthen highway security enforcement and handle safety considerations related to the illegal use of vehicle registration plates.
FRSC begins five-day number plate crackdown
Ohaeri mentioned the intervention, authorized by the Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, could be carried out throughout chosen states, with designated senior officers deployed to coordinate and supervise the train.
He defined that the second section builds on the primary operation carried out in May 2026, which recorded 1,691 arrests throughout 11 states.
According to him, the arrests from the primary section concerned a number of offences, together with:
1,003 motorists apprehended for numerous number plate-related offences.
683 motorists arrested for overloading and mixed-loading.
Five individuals arrested for utilizing faux diplomatic number plates.
Ohaeri mentioned the figures demonstrated the size of the problem and the necessity for sustained enforcement towards vehicle registration violations.
He added that the renewed intervention adopted considerations raised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) over the growing use of pretend vehicle registration plates, together with coated, defaced, obsolete and counterfeit diplomatic plates.
The Corps mentioned the five-day train would focus on figuring out automobiles working with fraudulent or unrecognisable registration plates, whereas strengthening accountability amongst motorists.
Links faux plates to safety dangers
Ohaeri mentioned the safety implications of the development had been vital, given the significance of highway transportation to the motion of individuals and items throughout the nation.
He defined that automobiles working with hid or fraudulent registration plates might make it tough for safety businesses to establish them, monitor their actions and examine prison actions.
The assertion quoted him as saying:
“The Corps is concerned that vehicles operating with unidentifiable or fraudulent registration plates create opportunities for criminal elements to evade identification, compromise security surveillance and frustrate investigations.”
“Consequently, Operation Guduma is designed to complement national security efforts by strengthening vehicle identification and ensuring greater accountability among road users.”
Beyond the crackdown on number plate violations, the operation can even prioritise site visitors administration alongside designated corridors, emergency rescue interventions and the immediate clearance of highway obstructions.
Ohaeri mentioned the Corps Marshal had reaffirmed the FRSC’s dedication to tackling practices that threaten highway security and undermine nationwide safety.
He added that using faux, hid, defaced or obsolete vehicle number plates would not be handled as a minor site visitors infraction due to its wider implications for public security.
The Corps Marshal additionally directed personnel to hold out their duties with professionalism, self-discipline and respect for residents’ rights, notably when participating automobiles displaying diplomatic number plates, which have to be dealt with according to relevant diplomatic protocols.
What it is best to know
The newest operation follows earlier FRSC enforcement efforts to handle using faux and unauthorised vehicle registration plates throughout Nigeria.
In March 2025, the Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, mentioned the company had arrested 7,798 individuals across the nation in two months over offences involving faux vehicle number plates.
He mentioned the Corps encountered resistance from some vehicle homeowners utilizing faux registration plates however remained dedicated to implementing the related rules.
Mohammed additionally warned that the rising use of pretend or unauthorised number plates had critical safety implications as a result of it might hinder the power of safety businesses to establish and monitor automobiles linked to prison actions.
He known as for stronger help from the National Assembly to enhance enforcement and be certain that offenders had been prosecuted.
The Corps Marshal additionally recommended lawmakers for his or her contributions to highway security and safety efforts, urging them to work with the FRSC to strengthen present legal guidelines and enforcement measures.
The newest five-day operation is one other section of the Corps’ efforts to handle vehicle identification violations and enhance compliance with highway security necessities.
