By Monday Ijeh

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Usman Baba, has banned the use of SPY number plates by vehicle owners nationwide.

CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, disclosed the new rule in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to the IGP, the ban will forestall the continuous disregard for traffic rules as it is applicable to all road users in the country without exceptions.

He noted that there is a continuous disregard for extant laws guiding road use by individuals hiding under the privileges of SPY police number plates.

Baba, thereby, directed police officers and officers of other security agencies attached to VIPs who use the SPY number plates to ensure prompt compliance or risk being arrested for the violation.

He ordered Commissioners of Police (CPs) across the states and the FCT, and their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) to give full effect to the directive.

Baba directed the AIGs and CPs to ensure the confiscation of all SPY number plates currently in use without the arrest of the owners of such vehicles.

In addition, an arrest could be made when such vehicles are with police officers or officers from other security agencies on escort duty.

Meanwhile, he enjoined police officers to respect the rights and privileges of citizens in line with the laws of the land.

He called on other security agencies and the public to cooperate with the police in enforcing the ban, adding that the moves were to strengthen internal security in the country.

NAN