The Oyo State Government has made known it’s resolve to clampdown on vehicle owners in the state, who failed to comply with the enforcement of the number plate directive of the federal government within seven days.
The altimatum was issued by the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security Matters, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, while briefing journalists at the end of a joint security patrol embarked on by the three southwest states of Oyo, Ogun and Lagos, tagged, “Joint Show of Force,” organised by the police commands of the three states in collaboration with other security agencies.
The exercise commenced from the Lagos end of the expressway and terminated at Ojoo in Ibadan, showcasing a coordinated effort to reinforce security visibility and deter criminal element.
Owoseni noted that, “Our security apparatus in Oyo State have also observed that between 25 to 30 percent of the the motor vehicles plying the state, especially Ibadan, dont carry number plates.”
“While some of them have their number plates covered.This is an advisory. We shouldn’t wait until the security operatives go out to let the wrath of
the law bear on us. What is the big men and big women are doing that you are driving motor vehicles without number plates.
“If the vehicle is snatched or is used to kidnap you, how do you want to give information to the security people on the road who will help you? What is the use of having a number plate that you cover with a rubber plastic all the time?
” Apart from the fact that this is an advisory, the security heads have also resolved to put in place a joint task force. We are using this opportunity to sound a note of warning to our people that within the next three to seven days, vehicles that will ply our routes should have their number plates displayed.
“If you are among the people that you think are big men or big women in this state, covering your number plate, irrespective of what status you are, either as political office holders or
business corporate bodies leaders, it is unlawful to drive a car without number plates or with the
number plate covered.
“The security agencies will be out there to make sure they enforce the
law on that. So I will repeat it again
that driving vehicles without number plates or covered plate numbers is unlawful and they will start enforcing compliance on that.
In a related development, Owoseni urged religious houses to reduce its activities if necessary especially night vigils
” We have also
noticed, and of course as usual, with this period, that this is a period where religious activities are on the peak, where night vigils, watch nights are being done. The head of security had the resolved to issue this advisory that unless it becomes absolutely necessary , we should reduce most of the night religious activities.
“Where it is absolutely necessary, we should also notify the security agencies of these activities. Situations where people go to certain mountain that are not motorable that you cannot even get GSM network if anything is happening with which you can raise alarm or with which you can quickly call security.
What is the essence? It is not just about security, medical security as well.
“If something is happening to anyone at this mountain, it is like we are tempting God to say nothing can happen to us.
So, the advisory is that except it is absolutely necessary, we should avoid some of these night activities, especially in those remote areas that are not not motorable either by motorbikes or vehicles, or by telephone communication.
He also stated the resolve of security heads in the state to clamp down on all social media propagandist saying security agencies “will go after all these people and ensure that the full wrath of the law is brought to bear on them.
“The same goes to people that are using the toll free number of the state 615 for fun, calling that there is an emergency somewhere and at the end of the day, nothing is happening there.
” The state has the capacity to track and trace such person. Let us use the 615 number responsibly.” He. stated
While wishing the citizens of the state on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde a hitch- free celebration he also appealed to the people to work with the government and security agencies to achieve this
