Lagos Police Declares War on Covered Number Plates – Enforcement Begins Monday

Faded Vehicle Number Plates

Lagos Police Declares War on Covered Number Plates – Enforcement Begins Monday

The Lagos State Police Command has announced plans to commence a statewide enforcement exercise against vehicles operating with covered, obscured, unauthorised, defaced or no registration number plates as part of efforts to strengthen security and curb criminal activities across the state. The command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the exercise was in compliance with a directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, aimed at enhancing public safety and preventing criminal elements from concealing their identities while carrying out unlawful activities. According to the statement, the enforcement exercise will begin on Monday, June 15, 2026, and will be supervised by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai. CP Tijani Fatai has directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) across the state to ensure full compliance within their respective jurisdictions.

The statement added that any vehicle found violating the directive would be impounded and subjected to thorough investigation in line with existing laws and established procedures. CP Tijani Fatai ordered that enforcement must begin immediately across all area commands, with officers instructed to ensure strict implementation within their areas of responsibility. The command explained that the initiative is a proactive security measure designed to improve law enforcement agencies’ ability to identify vehicles, investigate crimes, track criminal suspects and strengthen the overall security architecture of Lagos State. The command stated, “The Command wishes to assure members of the public that this enforcement exercise is not intended to inconvenience law-abiding motorists. Rather, it is a proactive security measure designed to enhance the capacity of Police operatives to identify vehicles, investigate crimes, track criminal suspects, and strengthen the overall security architecture of the State.”

This enforcement follows earlier warnings from both the police and the Lagos State Government about the illegality of covering or defacing number plates. In July 2024, the Lagos State Police Command warned that covering number plates violates the National Road Traffic Regulations and that conviction could attract jail terms or fines. The regulations require that number plates be legible at daytime and at night from a distance of not less than 60 metres for vehicles and 30 metres for motorcycles. Additionally, under Sections 15 and 16 of the Lagos State Transport Reform Law of 2018, driving with a damaged or defaced license plate remains illegal. The law requires all vehicles operating on Lagos roads to display valid, clearly visible registration number plates at all times.

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Earlier in 2026, the Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) introduced a special amnesty programme for motorists with damaged or defaced number plates, which ran from January 1 to March 31, 2026. Under the amnesty, vehicle owners could replace damaged or faded number plates at a discounted rate of ₦20,000, with the agency offering instant replacement services within 24 to 48 hours. The MVAA required affected vehicle owners to replace non-compliant number plates promptly, warning that driving with a damaged or defaced license plate remains illegal.

The latest police enforcement aligns with the Lagos State Government’s broader deployment of intelligent traffic management and digital surveillance technologies. In May 2026, the state government disclosed that 737,340 traffic violations were recorded within the last one year through its Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera system. The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the large number of violations captured through the ANPR system reflected the state’s growing deployment of technology aimed at improving road safety and ensuring compliance with traffic regulations. Officials have stated that faded and altered number plates undermine these automated systems, complicating enforcement across the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) , the police, and other agencies. In May 2026, Osiyemi announced that the state government had declared war on motorists with covered number plates, stating that enforcement would be intelligence-driven and supported by technology. He noted that concealing number plates creates security concerns and weakens accountability on roads.

The police advised motorists, transport operators, fleet owners and other road users to ensure their vehicles carry valid, duly issued and clearly visible registration number plates at all times. Vehicle owners were also urged to keep all relevant vehicle documents up to date and readily available for inspection whenever required by law enforcement officers. The enforcement exercise is expected to affect private vehicles, commercial buses, trucks and logistics vehicles, motorcycles, and other categories of road users operating within Lagos State.

Reaffirming its commitment to public safety, the command stated, “The Command remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting lives and property and creating a safer environment for all residents and visitors in the State.” The command also called on residents to support the initiative by remaining vigilant and promptly reporting suspicious persons, vehicles or activities through its dedicated emergency lines: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, and 09168630000. The police stressed that effective policing depends on public cooperation and urged residents to report any observed violations or suspicious activities through these channels.

In summary, the Lagos State Police Command begins a statewide enforcement exercise against vehicles without clear number plates on Monday, June 15, 2026. Offences include covered, concealed, defaced, unauthorised, or missing number plates as well as unregistered vehicles. Consequences include vehicle impoundment and thorough investigation. The authority for the exercise comes from the Lagos State Police Command following IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu’s directive, led by CP Tijani Fatai. The legal basis includes the National Road Traffic Regulations and the Lagos State Transport Reform Law of 2018 (Sections 15 and 16). The enforcement is supported by ANPR cameras which recorded 737,340 violations in the past year. A previous amnesty offered discounted number plate replacement at ₦20,000 but ended on March 31, 2026. Residents can report violations through five emergency telephone numbers provided by the command.