Clampdown on Spy Number Plates: AIG Zone 13 Cautions Police Task Force against Human Rights Violation

The Assistant Inspector General of police in charge of zone 13, Ukpo, Anambra State, Umar Musa Muri, has charged police officers enforcing the ban on the use of police spy vehicle plates in the zone to respect citizens’ rights and privileges while carrying out the assignment.

Muri gave the charge on Thursday in a statement by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 13 Headquarters, Anambra State, Nkeiruka Nwode.

In the statement, the AIG directed reversal to original registered number plates and seizure of SPY plates within the zone.

According to Nwode, the development was in line with the directive of the Inspector General of Police’s ban on the use of spy vehicle number plates nation-wide.

The ZPPRO said the AIG had cautioned that while carrying out the assignment, officers must ensure that the rights and privileges of citizens were respected.

The statement read in part, “In line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, ban on the use of police SPY vehicle Number plates, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in-charge of zone 13 police headquarters Ukpo, Anambra State; Umar Musa Muri has directed the Commisioners of Police; Anambra and Enugu state command respectively to comply with the order and ensure enforcement on total ban on all use of Police SPY Vehicle Number Plates by vehicle owners in their respective State commands without exceptions. This is irrespective of whether it is authorized, or not, as all authorizations has been revoked indefinitely.

“This order is necessary in checkmating criminal activities and to forestall the continuous disregard for traffic rules and regulations as well as other extant laws guiding road use by individuals hiding under the privileges of SPY Police number plates.

“AIG Muri has therefore, directed that police Officers and Officers of other Security agencies attached to VIPs who use the SPY number plates should ensure prompt compliance with this directive or risk being arrested for violation of the order.

“He finally cautioned that while carrying out these assignments, officers must ensure that the rights and privileges of citizens are respected with utmost professionalism and encouraged sister Security Agencies and the good people of Anambra and Enugu States to cooperate with the police in this regard as the ban is aimed at checkmating criminal activities within the zone and also to forestall incessant violation of law and order.”