By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have agreed to strengthen collaboration to curb the abuse of diplomatic and official number plates across Nigeria. Over 1,000 vehicles using fake plates were recently impounded nationwide.
In a joint statement, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa and FRSC Corps Public Education Officer Osondu Ohaeri agreed to deepen information sharing and link diplomatic accreditation records with vehicle registration databases for real-time verification.
It added that some individuals are also illegally using ambassadorial titles and fake diplomatic passports.
FRSC’s Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide said nationwide operations intercepted 1,000 vehicles using fake diplomatic plates, cloned documents, and unauthorized government plates.
Both agencies warned that misuse of diplomatic plates undermines Nigeria’s diplomatic integrity and poses national security risks. They said the practice tarnishes Nigeria’s international image and can aid criminal activities.
The ministry and FRSC will launch public awareness campaigns on legal consequences of forgery and impersonation. The ministry urged Nigerians to report suspected cases of abuse to law enforcement.
