The Ogun State Police Command has clarified three situations in which dealership number plates may legally be used, while warning motorists against using the plates for routine private activities.
The clarification was given by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, on Thursday while explaining Operation VELVET, an initiative focused on vehicle identification, crime prevention and enforcement against improperly registered or concealed number plates.
According to Babaseyi, dealership number plates may be used when an unregistered vehicle is being moved from a port to the dealership where it is to be sold. The plates may also be used when a prospective buyer is inspecting or testing a vehicle and when a vehicle is being taken to a mechanic or auto shop for repairs.
He described these as the three valid reasons for using a dealership plate and urged motorists and vehicle dealers to comply with the rules governing the plates.
The police said the initiative was aimed at strengthening vehicle identification and making it easier for law enforcement authorities to trace vehicles and detect those that may have been stolen or connected to criminal activities.
Babaseyi said proper identification of vehicles was important in addressing crimes such as one-chance robbery, abduction and vehicle theft. He explained that difficulties in identifying vehicles could make investigations more difficult, particularly when stolen vehicles are being moved around.
The command specifically identified the improper use of dealership number plates as an issue being addressed under Operation VELVET. It said the plates are issued for authorised dealership purposes and should not be treated as an alternative to ordinary vehicle registration.
The police also warned that dealership plates should not be used for routine private activities, carrying passengers or goods for reward, or concealing a vehicle’s identity. Once a vehicle has been properly registered for ordinary use, the appropriate assigned registration number should be displayed.
The command said proper registration provides law enforcement agencies with information that can assist in establishing vehicle ownership, tracing vehicles and investigating cases involving stolen or suspicious vehicles.
The warning comes amid a broader police enforcement effort against vehicles operating without proper registration or with concealed, altered or defaced number plates. The Nigeria Police Force has previously directed commands nationwide to intensify enforcement against such practices, citing their implications for public safety and crime prevention.
Available regulatory material also shows that trade or dealership licences cover specified circumstances involving vehicles being moved, tested, repaired or delivered in the course of dealership activities.
The Ogun Command urged members of the public, vehicle dealers and motorists to familiarise themselves with the applicable rules and ensure that vehicles on the road carry the appropriate identification.
It said improved compliance with vehicle-registration requirements would support police efforts to prevent crime and strengthen the ability of authorities to identify and trace vehicles when necessary.
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