The Ogun State police command says it arrested 89 motorists for number plate violations.

The state police public relations officer (PPRO), DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abeokuta, adding that the command also foiled armed robbery operations and recovered stolen motorcycles.

Mr Babaseyi said the achievements followed sustained intelligence-led policing and enforcement of the inspector-general of police’s directive against vehicles operating without registration plates or with obscured number plates.

He said appropriate administrative and legal actions, including prosecution where necessary, had been initiated against the offenders in line with extant laws and procedures.

The spokesman said the commissioner of police, Bode Ojajuni, directed area commanders, divisional police officers, and tactical commanders to intensify enforcement of the directive across the state.

He said coordinated operations conducted simultaneously across Ogun led to the interception of the 89 vehicles found operating in violation of the law.

Mr Babaseyi explained that the exercise was designed to improve vehicle traceability, enhance intelligence gathering, and deny criminals the anonymity they often exploit to commit crimes.

He added that enforcement would be sustained statewide, warning that violators would continue to face sanctions under the law.

The PPRO also said operatives of the Ogere division, in collaboration with the Ogun State So-Safe Corps, local vigilantes and community members, foiled an armed robbery at Akuro Phase I, Ogere Remo, on Friday.

He said the robbers had dispossessed residents of two motorcycles, mobile phones, cash and other valuables before police operatives intercepted them during an attempted escape.

According to him, the suspects abandoned the stolen motorcycles and fled into a nearby bush following a coordinated tactical response by security operatives.

Mr Babaseyi said one suspect was arrested and was assisting investigators, while a knife, an expended cartridge and a broken padlock were recovered as exhibits.

He said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.

The PPRO said the commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing, visibility patrols, strategic stop-and-search operations, and stronger community partnerships.

Mr Ojajuni urged motorists to comply with vehicle registration requirements and advised residents to patronise only recognised motor parks and properly identified commercial vehicles.

He also appealed to the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support crime prevention and enhance operational effectiveness across the state.

(NAN)