FRSC Cracks Down on Fake Diplomatic Number Plates

The Federal Road Safety Corps has launched a special nationwide enforcement operation, codenamed “Operation Guduma,” to tackle the growing use of fake diplomatic number plates and clamp down on overloading on Nigerian roads.

The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, disclosed this during the inauguration of the operation in Awka on Monday.

Represented by the Head of the FRSC Transport Union Coordination Unit, Oko Etuali, Mohammed said the corps had uncovered widespread abuse involving fake ambassadorial and diplomatic number plates being used by unauthorized individuals across the country.

According to him, the trend has become a major security concern considering the current insecurity challenges facing Nigeria.

“We discovered that most people are faking ambassadorial or diplomatic number plates and using them to ply the roads,” he said.

“Considering the insecurity in the country, the corps launched this strategic intervention patrol to ensure that all those using fake ambassadorial number plates and other illegal government number plates are brought to book.”

The FRSC boss explained that the corps is statutorily responsible for designing and producing number plates, while state governments handle their issuance to eligible government officials, including lawmakers.

He added that the FRSC only advises state governments on the withdrawal of official number plates after public officers leave office.

According to him, many former government officials fail to return official plates after their tenure ends, especially during transitions and handover periods.

“The number plates issued to government officials carry expiry dates, making them easy to identify,” he noted.

Mohammed disclosed that the operation had already commenced in several states and would run in Anambra and Enugu states from May 18 to May 22.

The FRSC also announced plans to intensify its campaign against overloading by commercial drivers.

He said the newly established Transport Union Coordination Unit had begun sensitisation exercises at motor parks to educate drivers on the dangers of carrying excess passengers and goods.

“The mentality of many drivers is that the more passengers or goods they load, the more money they make, without considering the safety of other road users,” he said.

He warned that after the awareness campaign, strict enforcement would begin, with offenders facing sanctions aimed at deterring future violations.