A new security concern is brewing in Nigeria as criminals increasingly exploit fake vehicle number plates bearing official tags such as “Presidency,” “Nigerian Youth Council (NYC),” and “National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)” to evade law enforcement.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has raised the alarm over this growing trend, warning that the misuse of these plates is fueling criminal activities across the country.
A Shield for Criminals
The Lagos State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Kehinde Hamzat, revealed in a recent interview that these counterfeit plates are being used by criminals to avoid police scrutiny.
“We think that most of these number plates are labelled ‘Presidency,’ ‘NYC,’ ‘NANS,’ and some others, knowing fully well that these are established institutions that probably law enforcement agents wouldn’t want to disturb,” Hamzat stated on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
According to him, many of these plates are not even registered in the national vehicle database, making it difficult to track down vehicles used in criminal activities.
“If you check these numbers on the database, you’ll discover they are not anywhere. So when they misbehave, you start tracing the vehicle, and you can’t identify them,” he explained.
Fake Plates, Real Danger
Security analysts warn that the proliferation of fake government-related number plates poses a major threat to national security. Criminals exploiting these plates can move freely, transport contraband, and even carry out armed robberies without raising suspicion.
This development is particularly alarming given Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with kidnapping, banditry, and organized crime. A security expert, speaking anonymously, described the trend as “a national embarrassment” and called for swift action to clamp down on those behind the forgery.
“This is not just a case of simple forgery; it is a coordinated attempt to undermine law enforcement,” the expert said. “If criminals can drive freely under the banner of the ‘Presidency’ or ‘NANS,’ it means they have figured out a loophole in our system, and that must be addressed immediately.”
FRSC’s Crackdown on Fake Plates
In response, the FRSC has launched a special operation to identify and impound vehicles with fake plates. Hamzat assured that the Corps is working tirelessly to apprehend offenders and restore the integrity of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS).
“We are trying to pick as many of them as possible to investigate and prosecute them appropriately,” he stated.
To further strengthen the fight against fake plates, FRSC officers have been directed by the Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, to target vehicles carrying suspicious number plates—especially those linked to NANS.
NANS Fights Back
However, the directive has not gone down well with NANS, the country’s largest student association. The group has strongly opposed the move, warning that it will not tolerate harassment of its members’ vehicles.
In a fiery response, NANS threatened to shut down FRSC offices if their vehicles were seized.
“If FRSC officials continue to impound vehicles belonging to our members, we will not hesitate to mobilize and take necessary action,” a NANS representative declared, according to Nigerian Tribune.
The standoff raises questions about how deeply fake plates have infiltrated the system and whether legitimate NANS members might also be using them improperly.
How Big Is the Problem?
The exact number of fake plates in circulation remains unclear, but the FRSC’s concerns suggest it is a widespread issue. Some analysts believe corrupt officials within the licensing system may be enabling criminals by issuing fraudulent plates.
Previous investigations into Nigeria’s vehicle registration process have exposed loopholes, with reports of plates being forged or duplicated without proper records in the national database.
A former FRSC official, who spoke anonymously, admitted that fraud within the system is a long-standing problem.
“This is not new. There have been cases where people pay extra money under the table to get a ‘special’ plate number that exempts them from checks,” the official revealed.
What’s Next?
With FRSC now intensifying efforts to rid the roads of fake plates, it remains to be seen how effectively the operation will be carried out. Security agencies are also expected to join the crackdown, given the potential national security risks posed by these unauthorized plates.
Experts suggest that technology could play a key role in solving the problem. Improved surveillance, the use of automated license plate recognition systems, and stricter verification processes for issuing plates could help close loopholes.
