The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has impounded more than 1,000 vehicles found using fake diplomatic number plates and forged registration documents in a nationwide enforcement operation aimed at tackling abuse of official privileges.
Renewed Partnership to Curb Abuse
The crackdown follows a renewed partnership between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the FRSC to strengthen monitoring and verification of diplomatic and official number plates across the country. The two agencies said they would improve information sharing and integrate diplomatic accreditation records with vehicle registration databases to enable real-time verification and prevent fraud.
Uncovered Cases of Fraud
According to a joint statement issued by Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa and FRSC Corps Public Education Officer Osondu Ohaeri, authorities have also uncovered cases involving the illegal use of ambassadorial titles, forged diplomatic passports, and unauthorized government vehicle plates. FRSC Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide disclosed that the nationwide operation uncovered widespread abuse of diplomatic privileges, including the use of cloned documents and counterfeit number plates designed to evade security checks and regulatory scrutiny.
National Security Concerns
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the FRSC warned that the misuse of diplomatic identification threatens national security, damages Nigeria’s international reputation, and could be exploited for criminal activities. Both agencies pledged to intensify enforcement measures while launching public awareness campaigns on the legal consequences of forgery, impersonation, and related offences. They also urged Nigerians to report suspected cases of diplomatic plate abuse and document fraud to relevant law enforcement authorities for prompt investigation and prosecution.
