Motorists in Lagos have been issued a fresh warning as the Lagos Police Command announced a new crackdown on vehicles using covered number plates, illegal tinted glasses, and unregistered cars on the state’s roads.
The announcement was made on Monday, March 9, by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Jimoh Olohundare, during a press briefing held after a meeting with officers of the command.
The directive follows instructions from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, aimed at strengthening security and improving policing standards across the country.
According to the police leadership, the new enforcement is part of broader efforts to improve transparency and security monitoring on Lagos roads. Therefore, drivers who violate the rules risk being sanctioned once enforcement begins.
Speaking during the briefing, the commissioner clearly stated that the Lagos vehicle number plate ban is now in effect across the state.
“It is prohibited for anyone in Lagos to cover their plate number or to use tinted glasses where the front screen and the right screen are tinted and covered. People are also prohibited from using unregistered vehicles,” he said.
The announcement has surprised many motorists because such practices have been widely observed on Lagos roads in recent years. However, police authorities insist that stricter enforcement has now become necessary.
CP Jimoh explained that the directive came after a high-level meeting between the Inspector-General of Police and police leadership in early March 2026. During that meeting, the need for stronger discipline, supervision, and professionalism within the Nigeria Police Force was emphasised.
Moreover, the Lagos command said immediate action had already been taken following the directive.
According to the commissioner, officers across the command were sensitised on the new measures less than 24 hours after the meeting with the police leadership.
The move is expected to help security agencies identify vehicles more easily during investigations. In addition, authorities believe it will assist in tracking criminal activities involving vehicles across the state.
Meanwhile, the Lagos vehicle number plate ban is also connected to broader reforms within the police force. These reforms are intended to improve service delivery and strengthen public trust in law enforcement.
CP Jimoh also stressed that strict supervision of officers would be implemented to ensure compliance with professional standards.
Furthermore, he reminded officers that respect for human rights must remain a priority in policing operations.
The commissioner emphasised that abuses by police officers will not be tolerated. Instead, personnel have been instructed to follow international best practices while carrying out their duties.
Community policing was also highlighted as an important part of the new strategy. According to the commissioner, officers must work closely with residents to address security issues within their communities.
He explained that local concerns should guide the policing approach across the state.
The police leadership has also placed greater emphasis on training. Officers are expected to receive additional instruction on crime prevention and security management during major events.
According to CP Jimoh, personnel assigned to special duties must ensure full security coverage from the beginning to the end of such operations.
