The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it has arrested 847 motorists for number plate violations in Cross River State in the past 12 months.

The Sector Commander, FRSC Cross River Command, Innocent Etuk, disclosed this on Tuesday in Calabar at a news conference to inaugurate Operation Guduma Phase 2.

Mr Etuk said the violations involved motorists using covered, fake and faded number plates.

He added that motorcycles accounted for a significant proportion of the offences, particularly in Ogoja and northern parts of the state.

He said the command would intensify enforcement to curb the growing abuse of vehicle registration numbers and strengthen road safety as well as national security.

The sector commander said that the command’s Motor Vehicle Administration Department would collaborate with the FRSC headquarters to verify vehicles on the national registration database.

According to him, vehicles whose registration details cannot be verified will be impounded for further investigation.

Earlier, Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed said there would be no exemptions in the enforcement of regulations against covered, falsified and faded number plates.

Mr Mohammed, represented by Corps Commander, the Corps Armament Officer, Jerry Undelikwo, said Operation Guduma Phase 2 would run from November 3 to November 6 across the country.

He said that the operation would receive support from sister security agencies to apprehend offenders, including motorists, who deploy armed security personnel to evade arrest.

He warned that the misuse of number plates posed security threats, as criminals could exploit government or diplomatic vehicle registration numbers to transport arms or kidnapped persons undetected.

He said the offenders would be prosecuted through mobile courts or handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation and prosecution.

Mr Mohammed stressed that enforcement would continue beyond the special operation, urging motorists to comply with vehicle registration and traffic regulations.

He said the exercise was designed to strengthen road safety, improve national security and end the abuse of number plates by motorists. 

(NAN)