Lagos Police announces ban on covered plate numbers, unregistered vehicles

The Lagos State Police Command has announced that motorists in Lagos State are no longer allowed to cover their vehicle number plates or use tinted glass.

The announcement was made by the Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Olohundare, during a press briefing on Monday, March 9, after addressing officers and men of the command on new directives issued by the Inspector-General of Police, Disu Olatunji.

Speaking during the briefing, the police commissioner said:

“It is prohibited for anyone in Lagos to cover their plate number or to use tinted glasses where the front screen and the right screen are tinted and covered. People are also prohibited from using unregistered vehicles.”

The police boss explained that the directive followed instructions from the Inspector-General during a meeting with police leadership in early March 2026, where the need for improved professionalism, supervision, and discipline within the force was emphasised.

According to him, the command had already begun sensitising officers on the new directives less than 24 hours after the meeting, noting that the move is aimed at strengthening policing standards and improving service delivery across the state.

“Officers must ensure strict supervision, respect for human rights, and adherence to international best practices while carrying out their duties,” he stated.

He also urged officers to embrace community policing by working closely with residents to identify and tackle security challenges within their communities.

The commissioner warned that human rights abuses by police officers would not be tolerated, stressing that all personnel must respect the dignity and rights of Nigerians.

He further disclosed that the Inspector-General had directed commands across the country to return to basic policing principles, including closer engagement with members of the public and improved training in crime prevention and security management, especially during major events.