By Omoyeni Ojeifo
In a major move to enhance security, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the FRSC are launch a joint crackdown on the illegal production and abuse of official and diplomatic vehicle number plates in Nigeria.
The partnership was formalized on Monday during a high-level meeting at the FRSC National Headquarters in Abuja.
The Ministry’s Spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, met with top FRSC officials—including Deputy Corps Marshal Osondu Ohaeri (Public Education) and Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide (Operations)—to map out strategies against the growing security threat, Persecondnews reports.
Ebienfa expressed concern over individuals falsely parading themselves as ambassadors and diplomats, noting that some also make use of counterfeit diplomatic passports and vehicle number plates to support their claims.
He said the Ministry is intensifying its campaign against the illegal use of ambassadorial titles and diplomatic identities, warning that such actions undermine Nigeria’s diplomatic credibility and international reputation.
In his remarks, Assistant Corps Marshal (Operations), Olusegun Ogungbemide, highlighted ongoing nationwide enforcement operations by the FRSC targeting illegally acquired diplomatic, official and government number plates.
He explained that the operations, conducted across several states, uncovered widespread violations involving cloned registration documents, unauthorized plates and other fraudulent vehicle identification systems.
Both the ministry and the FRSC warned that the misuse of diplomatic number plates poses serious security and reputational risks, stressing the need for sustained inter-agency cooperation to curb the trend.
Persecondnews recalls that earlier in June, FRSC had carried out nationwide enforcement operations during which about 1,000 vehicles were intercepted for various violations involving fake diplomatic plates, unauthorized government registrations and cloned vehicle documents.