The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has, for the umpteenth time, banned the issuance of SPY plate numbers and tainted glass permits in Nigeria.
It would be recalled that several IGPs have during their tenures banned the use of SPY plate numbers and the unauthourised use of tainted glasses.
He also reiterated that road blocks in any guise remained banned, describing them obsolete and avenue for corrupt tendencies, insisting that any officer caught mounting road block will have him/herself to blame.
The IGP gave the order at a meeting with top police officers including Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors General (AIG) and Command Commissioners of Police (CPs), in Abuja, Monday.
He, however, charged the CPs to strengthen security architecture around the police formations in order to prevent them from attacked by criminal elements.
 “Accordingly, henceforth, the issuance of SPY plate numbers and tainted glasses permits are hereby suspended. The existing authorisations are being reviewed and a Protocol to regulate the issuance of such permits will be evolved.
“In due course an enforcement mechanism that will enforce the standardised process of issuance of SPY plate numbers and tainted glasses will be implemented across the country.
“The Nigeria Police will work closely with the leadership of the Federal Road Safety Commission in this regard,” the IGP said.
 He, also ordered Command CPs to arrested and deal ruthlessly in accordance with the law, any motorist found covering his/her number plate.  
“An emerging trend in which some motorists cover their plate numbers has also been noticed across the country. This practice inhibits our law enforcement operations and hence, is intolerable.
“Consequently, Commissioners of Police are tasked to as part of their operations, to arrest any motorist involved in this act,” he said.
While reiterating the need for the CPs to review and strengthen security around their command headquarters, the IGP said: “In line with my speech during the launch of ‘Operation Restore Peace’, all Commissioners of Police across the country are to review and strengthen security around all Command Headquarters and other Police Stations in their jurisdictions with a view to deterring or repelling any attempt to attack such facilities.
“Nigeria Police assets are critical national security assets which must be defended against insurrectionists and arsonists as provided for in Section 33, sub section 2 (a-c) of the Nigerian Constitution.”
While warning command commissioner of police on the resurgence of the road blocks in parts of the country, the IGP said: “Furthermore, I have been receiving reports that some Commissioners of Police are still allowing the mounting of road blocks in their jurisdictions.
“For the avoidance of doubts, road blocks under any description or guise remain banned across the country and any officer found to be contravening this order will be held liable and dealt with firmly. The society has evolved.
“As law enforcement operatives, we must align our policing strategies to this societal dynamics, particularly, at this time that our policing functions are being built in the community policing model in which the citizens’ interests are prioritised.”
IGP Bbaba insisted that: “Road blocks as a policing model is becoming obsolete and unacceptable. Hence, we are working towards enhancing our intelligence-led and technology-driven policing capability as well as strengthening the Safer Highway Motorised Patrol Scheme as an alternative to road blocks.
“Therefore, you are tasked to ensure that deployments within your commands are reviewed and your operations aligned to this new policing approach which discourages the disposition to limiting the liberty of citizens through road blocks which are known to be avenues for corrupt tendencies and other vices that widen the trust gap between the citizens and the Police.
“The X-Squad and Monitoring Unit have been mandated to commence a special operation across the country to enforce this directive.”