The Lagos State Police Command has announced plans to commence a statewide enforcement operation targeting vehicles with concealed, altered, unauthorised, obscured or missing registration number plates beginning Monday.

The directive was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi.

According to Adebisi, the exercise is in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and is aimed at strengthening public safety and security across the state.

She explained that the initiative is intended to curb criminal activities by preventing individuals from hiding their identities through the use of improperly displayed vehicle registration plates.

Adebisi stated that the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Tijani, had instructed all police formations in the state to ensure strict implementation of the directive.

“The Commissioner of Police has directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to begin immediate enforcement and ensure full compliance within their respective jurisdictions.

“He further ordered that any vehicle found in violation of the directive should be impounded and subjected to appropriate investigation in accordance with existing laws and established procedures,” she said.

The police spokesperson stressed that the operation is not designed to inconvenience law-abiding residents but to enhance crime prevention, facilitate the identification of suspects and improve overall security.

She advised motorists, transport operators and fleet managers to ensure that their vehicles are fitted with valid, officially issued and clearly visible registration number plates at all times.

Adebisi also urged vehicle owners to keep all relevant documentation current and readily available for inspection whenever required by law enforcement officers.

Reaffirming the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, she said the police would continue to implement measures aimed at creating a safer environment for residents and visitors across Lagos State.

The command further appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious individuals, vehicles or activities through its emergency lines: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870 and 09168630000.

No fewer than 11 persons, including a pregnant woman and six children, have reportedly died in a boat mishap in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident occurred between 7 pm and 8 pm on Saturday as the victims were crossing a river from Wadata to Daududawada community during a heavy downpour that swept across parts of Makurdi.

Commander of a local vigilante group, Operation Shara (Sweep), in North Bank, Nura Umar, who confirmed the incident, said the deceased comprised a pregnant woman, six children and four other adults.

Umar said the victims were mourners from Daududawada, an island community located behind the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME) Barracks in Makurdi’s North Bank area.

According to him, the victims had travelled to Wadata for the burial of a woman from their community who died after being taken to a private hospital in North Bank for treatment.

“What happened was that we took a sick woman who lived in the community behind NASME to a private hospital in North Bank on Saturday morning, where she later died,” he said.

He further stated that the relatives of the deceased from the community joined them for the burial, which took place at Wadata. After the burial ceremony, they boarded a boat to return to Daududawada because it was a shorter route than travelling by road.

“At about 7 pm, heavy rain accompanied by strong winds started, causing the boat to capsize midway through the journey.

“There were over 40 passengers on board, but 11 are feared dead. So far, we have recovered four bodies and buried them, while divers are still searching for the remaining seven victims,” he said.

Umar further disclosed that one of the survivors lost her baby during the incident.

As part of efforts to reduce crime in the state, the police have killed three suspected armed robbers during a gun battle in a series of operations carried out across Benue State within one week.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Udeme, in a statement on Sunday, noted that the command also recovered an AK-47 rifle, two locally fabricated guns and dozens of live ammunition during the operations.

The statement further added that the successes were recorded between June 6 and 12, 2026, through intelligence-led policing, proactive patrols and joint security operations aimed at tackling armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping and cultism.

The statement further added that the biggest breakthrough came along the Vaase-Chito Road in Ukum Local Government Area, where operatives of Gbeji Division, working with members of the Community Volunteer Guards, engaged suspected armed bandits in a fierce gun battle after receiving reports of their activities in the area.

It further added that three of the suspects were killed during the exchange of fire, while others escaped on motorcycles with gunshot wounds and are currently being tracked.

She said the operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle, 21 rounds of live ammunition and a motorcycle from the scene.

Udeme added that in Makurdi, operatives of the Violent Crimes Response Unit arrested a suspect allegedly found with a locally fabricated revolver pistol and six rounds of live ammunition, noting that investigations were ongoing to establish other criminal links connected to the suspect.

The police spokesperson explained that operatives of the command also raided a criminal hideout at Gyemu Settlement in Guma Local Government Area following credible intelligence, leading to the arrest of a suspected member of the notorious Red Skin cult group, adding that criminal charms were recovered from the suspect, who reportedly confessed to cult-related activities.