Reps Move To Curb Fake Vehicle Number Plates’ Proliferation

The House of Representatives yesterday took steps to curb the proliferation of fake vehicle number plates.

Consequently, the House urged the Federal Road Safety Commission, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, to ensure that only vehicles with registered plate numbers found in the Nigeria Vehicle registration database ply roads in Nigeria.

The Green Chamber also asked the Federal Road Safety Commission, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, to intensify efforts to arrest users of fake plate numbers and ensure that the producers are traced and prosecuted.

These were the sequels to the adoption of a motion moved by the member representing the Abo-Mbaise/Ngor Okpala federal constituency of Imo State, Hon. Matthew Nwogu, at plenary.

Moving the motion, Nwogu said the purpose of vehicle plate numbers is to enable easy identification of vehicles and to enable security agencies to trace and identify any vehicle suspected of involvement in the commission of crime.

He referenced the Vanguard Newspaper report of February 2025, in which the Lagos State Sector Commander of FRSC claimed that most fake number plates used for crime in the country bear the tags of respected institutions such as the Presidency, Nigeria Youth Council (NYC), and the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS).

The lawmaker expressed worry that; “the ‘One Chance’ robbery and kidnapping incident in Nigeria is linked to fake vehicle plate numbers with some falling victim while some met their untimely death in the hands of these criminals.

“With the current state of insecurity in Nigeria, there is an urgent need to crack down on the use of fake plate numbers, which pose a security threat to the citizens.

“Some number plates bearing the Presidency, Nigeria Youth Council (NYC), NANS and other government agencies are, according to the FRSC Sector Command, Lagos, not registered in the Nigeria Vehicle Registration database.”