The Plateau Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has impounded 89 vehicles for using fake diplomatic number plates.

The command also impounded other vehicles for overloading and mixloading.

The vehicles were impounded during a Strategic Intervention Patrol tagged “Operation Guduma” on Wednesday in Jos.

Speaking, Rebecca Aremu, the Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) on Special Duties at FRSC headquarters, said that the operation aimed at tackling illegal and fake diplomatic number plates, mixloading, and overloading in the state.

She explained that the operation, which commenced on Monday, is currently being enforced in 10 other states of the federation.

She named the states to include Rivers, Delta, Anambra, Ogun, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Oyo, Enugu, and Nasarawa.

Ms Aremu, who decried the rise in overloading by commercial drivers, added that fake and illegal diplomatic number plates contravened the National Road Traffic Regulation.

She further said that the special operation aimed at achieving sanity and ensuring safety on highways.

“Overloading has caused untold pain for Nigerians, so we are here to address it.

“Using fake diplomatic number plates is a risk; it contravenes the national road safety regulations.

“It also poses a serious threat to national security.

“So far, we have impounded 89 vehicles: 14 for mixloading, 61 for overloading, and 14 for number plate violation in Plateau,” she said.

Earlier, the Sector Commander in Plateau, Adelaja Ogungbemi, said that officers and men of the command had been deployed for the special operation.

“We have given our marshals a marching order that it is no business as usual; we have also sent out signals to the motoring bodies in the state.

“We want to stop the use of fake diplomatic number plates and other unwholesome practices by motorists on highways,” Mr Ogungbemi said. 

(NAN)