The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has ordered an immediate nationwide enforcement operation against vehicles without registration number plates and those with concealed, defaced, or altered registration numbers, warning that offenders will be arrested and their vehicles impounded.
Speaking at the monthly conference with strategic senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja on Tuesday, the IGP said the growing trend of using unregistered vehicles poses a serious threat to public safety and national security. He directed all Commissioners of Police, tactical commanders, and heads of formations to intensify enforcement, stressing that there would be no preferential treatment for violators.
Disu also announced the deployment of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police to their respective geopolitical zones effective June 15, 2026, to strengthen operational supervision, improve coordination, and enhance accountability. He further directed Commissioners of Police to establish “Handshake Patrols” with neighbouring states to close jurisdictional gaps often exploited by criminals, emphasizing the need for intelligence sharing and coordinated security operations.
The IGP disclosed that between May 5 and June 9, 2026, police operatives arrested eight suspected terrorists, 29 murder suspects, 65 armed robbery suspects, 55 suspected kidnappers, and 42 suspected cultists. During the period, 88 kidnapped victims were rescued, while 114 firearms, 843 rounds of ammunition, and 28 stolen vehicles were recovered across the country.
On ongoing security operations, Disu assured Nigerians that efforts to secure the release of abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State remain active, adding that the Force, working with other security agencies, is making progress. He also commended officers involved in the successful rescue of Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her twin sons, who were recently abducted in the state.
The police chief urged senior officers to strengthen community policing and maintain regular engagement with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, market associations, and other stakeholders. He also called for improved relations with the media, stressing the importance of timely information dissemination and countering misinformation.
Disu expressed appreciation to police personnel for their dedication and sacrifices in the face of persistent security challenges, including kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism, banditry, cybercrime, and communal conflicts. He reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and strategic partnerships aimed at improving security and public confidence across the country.
