Taskforce Committee Confiscates Over 100 Unauthorized Official Number Plates

Over 100 government official number plates have been confiscated from unauthorized individuals by the Taskforce Committee on the Retrieval of Government Official Number Plates in Jigawa State.

This was disclosed in the committee’s report submitted to the Secretary to the Government of Jigawa State, Malam Bala Ibrahim.

Committee’s Findings and Recommendations

Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Taskforce Committee, DC Tijjani Murtala, stated that since its inauguration, the committee had embarked on sensitization, consultations, and enforcement in line with its mandate.

He explained that the committee was tasked with identifying unauthorized government official number plates used by civil and public officers, confiscating them, and educating officials on the consequences of using such plates on private vehicles. Additionally, the committee was to provide recommendations to curb the rampant misuse of official plates in the state.

“Our findings revealed that some government official number plates in circulation were originally issued for different vehicles but were later transferred to others, raising serious security concerns,” Murtala said.

He warned that the abuse of official number plates posed a security risk, as criminals could exploit them to evade security checks and engage in illegal activities.

To address these concerns, the committee recommended the following: Re-registration of all government official vehicles,Prohibition of number plate transfers between vehicles and strict sanctions on private vehicles found using government official number plates.

Others suggested measures includes branding of official number plates to prevent misuse, Enforcement of laws against covered number plates, except for those authorized by law.

Automation of all registered government number plates to create a central database for security and accountability.

Maintenance of a Joint Taskforce to monitor the abuse of official number plates.

DC Tijjani Murtala commended the Jigawa State Government for the opportunity to serve, emphasizing the need for swift action on the recommendations.

In response, the Secretary to the Government, Malam Bala Ibrahim, expressed appreciation for the committee’s work and assured that the government would review the report for possible implementation.