File: Nigeria’s number plates/Wikipedia
The Ogun State Police Command has listed three situations in which motorists can legally use dealership number plates, warning that the plates must not be used for routine private activities.
The command said dealership plates may be used when an unregistered vehicle is being moved from a port to a dealership, when a prospective buyer is inspecting or testing a vehicle, and when a vehicle is being taken to a mechanic or auto shop for repairs.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, on Thursday, disclosed this while explaining Operation VELVET, an initiative of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, aimed at preventing crime through proper vehicle identification.
Babaseyi said the Ogun State Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Abiodun Alamutu, had keyed into the initiative and had detected and prevented crimes through the operation.
He said the initiative focused on identifying vehicles, detecting stolen vehicles and tackling the use of improperly registered, concealed or defaced number plates.
“Operation VELVET is here to prevent crime on a large scale. It focuses on identification of cars, and also to detect those cars that have been stolen, the cars that don’t have properly used plate numbers or defaced plate numbers,” Babaseyi said in a video shared by the command on X.
According to him, proper identification of vehicles was important in tackling crimes including one-chance robbery, abduction and car theft.
“What is the aim of all this operation? The aim of this operation is to fight crime and criminality, and prevent crime.
“If you look at the fact that ‘one chance’, abductions, and all crimes—even stolen vehicles—are due to the fact that there is an issue of identification.
“If we can identify cars by their rightful plate numbers and their rightful registration numbers, it goes a long way for us to fight crime and criminality,” he said.
Babaseyi specifically highlighted the misuse of dealership number plates as an area of concern under the operation.
See more Punch stories on Google.
“One worthy of note aspect of it is the fight against the illegitimate use or the wrongful use of dealership plate numbers,” he said.
He listed the three valid reasons for using dealership plates.
“First, when a car that has not been registered is being brought from the port down to the dealership location where the car is going to be sold.
“Second, where a prospective buyer is trying to inspect a car or test its durability.
“Third, where a car is to be taken to the mechanic or an auto shop for repair.
“These are the three valid reasons a dealership plate number should be used on a car. Every other reason is not valid,” he said.
He urged members of the public to comply with the rules governing the use of dealership number plates, saying proper vehicle identification would assist the police in preventing crime.
“And I enjoin all the good public to please adhere to the rules of law and the laws that guide the usage of dealership plate numbers. As any vehicle that is lawfully identified helps us to fight crime and prevent crime in the society,” Babaseyi said.
He explained that the absence of proper registration could make it more difficult for the police to trace a stolen vehicle.
“Where a car doesn’t have its registration requirements and it’s stolen, it gives us nightmares to track. But where all these things are in proper perspective, registered, and in line with the laws, this helps us to fight crime,” he said.
The command, in a statement accompanying the video, said Operation VELVET went beyond traffic enforcement, describing it as an initiative focused on crime prevention, vehicle identification, public safety and intelligence.
It said proper registration and valid number plates helped the police identify vehicle ownership, trace vehicles and detect those reported stolen or linked to crime.
The command said the initiative supported efforts against car theft, one-chance robbery, abduction and the movement of stolen vehicles.
It also explained that a dealership plate was not a free pass to use an unregistered vehicle for everyday activities, noting that it was issued under a trade licence for authorised dealership purposes.
According to the statement, the plate must be used by an authorised person, for an authorised purpose and under the conditions of the trade licence.
It warned that dealership plates were not for routine private use, carrying passengers or goods for reward, or concealing the identity of a vehicle.
The command added that once a vehicle was registered for ordinary use, it should display its assigned registration number.
It said vehicle identity was an important source of intelligence because it enabled the police to establish ownership, trace movements and act when a vehicle was reported stolen or connected to a crime.
“When plates are concealed, altered or improperly used, criminals can exploit that gap,” the statement read.
The command said Operation VELVET was preventive because it helped the police detect stolen vehicles, support their recovery, strengthen investigations and improve intelligence gathering.
It urged motorists and dealers to register properly, use the appropriate number plate and keep their documents valid.
The command also urged members of the public to report suspicious activities, saying, “See Something. Say Something.”
“Identification is intelligence. Intelligence is prevention. Prevention is everybody’s business,” the statement read.
Babaseyi urged members of the public to cooperate with the police, adding, “Every identification is a tool for intelligence for the Nigerian Police to serve you better. The police is your friend.”
The command concluded with the message: “Operation VELVET: Compliance today, safer communities tomorrow. Vigilance is a virtue. Panic is not.”
