The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, has placed a total ban on all use of police SPY vehicle number plates by vehicle owners across the states of the federation, with no exception.
This ban is said to be irrespective of its being authorized or not, as all authorizations have been revoked indefinitely.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi made this known in a statement on Wednesday, July 13, 2022.
The FPRO said that the order was necessary 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,” CSP Adejobi said.
The IGP also directed Commissioners of Police in the 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.
IGP Alkali was said to have specifically directed the AIGs and CPs to ensure that all SPY number plates currently in use are confiscated henceforth but that the owners of such vehicles should not be arrested unless they are police officers or officers of other security agencies on escort duties.
The IGP however warned that while carrying out these assignments, officers must ensure the rights and privileges of citizens are respected in line with the laws of the land and in accordance with international best practices.
Other security agencies and members of the public were enjoined to cooperate with the police, as the moves were aimed at strengthening internal security.
