By Gabriel Ameh
FG, FRSC Intensify Fight Against Fake Diplomatic Number Plates, Intercept 1,000 Vehicles
The Federal Government and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have strengthened efforts to combat the growing abuse, forgery and illegal use of diplomatic and official number plates across Nigeria, following the interception of about 1,000 vehicles linked to various registration frauds.
The renewed collaboration was agreed upon during a courtesy visit by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, to the FRSC Corps Public Education Officer and spokesperson, Deputy Corps Commander Osondu Ohaeri, at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja.
Ebienfa also met with the Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Operations, Olusegun Ogungbemide, where discussions focused on enhancing cooperation between both institutions to tackle security threats associated with fake diplomatic number plates and fraudulent vehicle identification documents.
Speaking during the meeting, Ebienfa revealed that the Ministry is stepping up efforts to address the increasing misuse of ambassadorial titles by unauthorized individuals. He noted that some offenders are also linked to the use of fake diplomatic passports and illegally acquired diplomatic vehicle number plates.
Ogungbemide disclosed that recent nationwide enforcement operations carried out by the FRSC uncovered widespread violations involving diplomatic and government vehicle identification systems. According to him, the operations resulted in the interception of approximately 1,000 vehicles found using fake diplomatic plates, unauthorized government number plates, cloned registration documents and other forged vehicle credentials.
Both agencies expressed concern that the abuse of diplomatic number plates poses serious national security risks by enabling identity concealment, facilitating criminal activities and undermining the integrity of Nigeria’s diplomatic privileges and immunities framework.
They further noted that such practices tarnish Nigeria’s international image and violate established diplomatic standards and protocols.
To address the challenge, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the FRSC agreed to strengthen information sharing, improve verification procedures for diplomatic vehicles and accreditation records, and develop a more effective monitoring system for the issuance and use of diplomatic number plates.
The agencies also pledged to explore technological solutions that will connect diplomatic accreditation records with vehicle registration databases, allowing for real-time verification of diplomatic vehicles and preventing unauthorized access to diplomatic privileges.
The Ministry commended the FRSC for its efforts in uncovering cases of abuse and reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Corps and other security agencies to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s diplomatic system.
As part of the partnership, both institutions will embark on further consultations and public awareness campaigns aimed at educating stakeholders on the lawful use of diplomatic number plates and the penalties associated with impersonation, forgery and related offences.
The Ministry reiterated that diplomatic number plates are reserved exclusively for accredited diplomatic missions, international organizations and officially recognized diplomatic personnel. It warned that diplomatic privileges and immunities must not be transferred, sold, abused or used by unauthorized persons.
Members of the public were also encouraged to report suspected cases involving fake diplomatic number plates or fraudulent diplomatic identification documents to relevant law enforcement agencies.
