If you drive in Kwara with your number plate covered, defaced, or missing, you might lose your vehicle from Monday.
The Kwara State Police Command has launched a statewide enforcement exercise against vehicles with improper registration plates. The directive, announced on Sunday in Ilorin, takes effect immediately and covers every local government area in the state.
Commissioner of Police Ojo Adekimi said the order came directly from Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu. The goal is simple: stop criminals from hiding their identities using concealed or altered plates.
"There will be no preferential treatment, exemption or special consideration for anyone," Adekimi warned. "The law will be applied fairly, firmly and without compromise."
Police spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed that the operation targets covered, obscured, unauthorised, defaced, altered, or completely missing plates. Officers have been instructed to begin full compliance operations across all jurisdictions.
Adekimi directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and the State Traffic Officer to enforce the directive. Any vehicle that violates the rules will be impounded and investigated under existing laws. No one gets a pass.
"Anyone found violating the directive will face the full weight of the law," the commissioner said.
The police boss urged motorists to remove any coverings or obstructions from their plates immediately. He also advised vehicle owners to keep their documents up to date and ready for inspection.
Why the sudden crackdown? The command says criminals have increasingly used hidden or altered plates to evade detection during robberies, kidnappings, and other crimes. Proper plates make it easier to identify vehicles and track fleeing suspects.
Adekimi assured residents that officers would conduct the exercise professionally and impartially. He called on the public to support the effort and report suspicious activities to the command's emergency lines: 0703 206 9501 and 0812 527 5046.
This isn't the first time the police have gone after improper number plates in Nigeria. Similar operations have been launched in Lagos, Abuja, and other states over the years. But the scale of this Kwara operation — covering every corner of the state — suggests a serious push.
The timing matters. With rising insecurity across the country, security agencies are looking for every tool to make life harder for criminals. A visible, valid number plate is one of the simplest ways to ensure a vehicle can be traced.
For the average Kwara driver, the message is clear: check your plate, remove any cover, and make sure it's readable. Or risk walking home.