Lagos Police Ban Covered Number Plates, Unregistered Vehicles

The Lagos State Police Command has banned the use of covered number plates and unregistered vehicles on roads across the state, warning that enforcement will now be stepped up.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Jimoh Olohundare, also cautioned motorists against using vehicles with tinted front windscreens and right-side windows that obscure visibility.

He announced the directive on Monday during a press briefing held after addressing officers of the command on instructions issued by the Inspector-General of Police, Disu Olatunji.

According to the police commissioner, anyone who buys a vehicle must ensure it is registered immediately before putting it on the road. He said the command would enforce the directive while still respecting the rights and dignity of residents.

“It is prohibited for anyone in Lagos to cover their plate number or to use tinted glasses where the front screen and the right screen are tinted and covered. People are also prohibited from using unregistered vehicles,” he said.

Olohundare explained that the briefing followed directives given by the Inspector-General of Police during a meeting with police leadership in early March 2026, where the focus was placed on improving professionalism, supervision, and discipline within the force.

He said the Lagos command had already begun sensitising officers to the new directives less than 24 hours after that meeting, adding that the aim was to strengthen policing standards and improve service delivery.

The commissioner stressed the need for stronger supervision of officers to ensure respect for human rights and compliance with international policing standards.

He also reaffirmed the importance of community policing, urging officers to work more closely with residents in identifying and tackling security challenges in their areas.

According to him, policing strategies across Lagos must reflect the priorities and concerns of local communities.

Olohundare further said the Inspector-General had directed increased training for officers, especially in crime prevention and security management during major events.

He added that personnel assigned to special duties must provide adequate security from the start to the end of such operations.

The police commissioner also noted that commands across the country had been directed to return to basic policing principles centred on closer engagement with the public.

He warned that human rights abuses by police officers would not be tolerated and said all personnel must uphold the dignity and rights of Nigerians.