FRSC records 1,600 number plate violations in 12 states, FCT,
…..intercepts five vehicles with fake diplomatic plates,

By Onu Okorie

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has intercepted five vehicles operating with fake diplomatic number plates and uncovered more than 1,600 number plate-related violations in a renewed nationwide crackdown on vehicle identity fraud and traffic offences.
The enforcement operation, conducted between November 2 and 6, 2026, across 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), also resulted in the detection of 6,454 other traffic offences.
The exercise, code-named Operation GUDUMA II, is part of the Corps’ efforts to address the growing abuse of vehicle registration identities, particularly the unauthorised use of diplomatic number plates, which authorities consider a potential threat to national security and effective law enforcement.
The operation covered Lagos, Ondo, Cross River, Benue, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Bauchi, Imo, Abia, Kano and the FCT, with specialised enforcement teams deployed to strategic locations to identify vehicles with questionable registration identities and apprehend offending motorists.
The operation, approved by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, followed concerns raised by the National Assembly and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) over the security implications of vehicle identity violations.
According to the FRSC, the second phase represents an intensified effort to strengthen surveillance, expose fraudulent vehicle identities and enforce compliance with established vehicle registration and traffic regulations.
A comparison of the latest figures with those recorded during the first phase of Operation GUDUMA shows a significant increase in detected violations.
While the initial operation recorded 1,003 number plate violations and 683 other traffic offences, the second phase uncovered more than 1,600 number plate-related violations and 6,454 other traffic offences.
The development, according to the Corps, highlights the importance of sustained enforcement, operational visibility, targeted surveillance and intelligence-led policing in identifying violations that might otherwise escape detection.
Reacting to the outcome, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed reiterated the FRSC’s determination to prevent Nigerian roads from becoming safe havens for individuals seeking to conceal their identities, evade law enforcement or undermine national security through fraudulent vehicle documentation.
He stressed that vehicle number plates were not merely identification accessories but essential instruments for national security, vehicle traceability and law enforcement.
Mohammed maintained that the Corps would not compromise its enforcement responsibilities in confronting the abuse of vehicle identification systems, irrespective of the status or disposition of offenders.
He also assured Nigerians that Operation GUDUMA would be sustained and progressively extended to other states of the federation.
According to him, the Corps would strengthen its operational capacity through improved personnel deployment, intelligence gathering and collaboration with relevant security and law enforcement agencies.
The FRSC consequently warned motorists against the use of fake, unauthorised, concealed or improperly displayed number plates, urging vehicle owners to ensure that their registration identities are duly approved and comply with existing regulations.
The crackdown also brings renewed attention to the security implications of fraudulent vehicle identities, particularly the possibility of criminals exploiting unauthorised diplomatic plates and other registration irregularities to evade identification and routine law enforcement checks.
The Corps maintained that no individual or vehicle would be exempted from the law, regardless of social standing or official status.
It urged motorists to embrace responsible driving practices and ensure that their vehicles carry authentic registration plates as part of efforts to improve road safety and national security.
The FRSC said the sustained implementation of Operation GUDUMA would reinforce the connection between effective vehicle identification, public safety and the fight against criminal activities on Nigerian roads.