NEWS
FRSC To Crack Down On Vehicles With Concealed Number Plates
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has taken action in response to the prevailing security challenges by initiating a crackdown on vehicles using concealed registration numbers on the country’s highways.
Clement Oladele, the Assistant Corps Marshal and FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer responsible for Benue, Nasarawa, and Plateau states, disclosed this development on Wednesday during a visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) leadership in Plateau.
Mr. Oladele emphasized that covering one’s number plate is considered a criminal act, contrary to the national traffic regulations.
He expressed concern over the behavior of some individuals who, considering themselves big men, are hiding their vehicle registration numbers.
He stated “The national traffic regulation specifies that any vehicle that is on the highway must have an identity and we have decided as a corps to commence the clampdown on such traffic offenders.
“Why will you cover your number plate? What are you hiding from? The number plate is the identity of a vehicle just like a name.
“There is nobody that does not have a name. Just the way most of you have no choice of the names you were given, the same way too a car does not have a choice in the number plate that is allocated to it.
“We are starting our special operations, and we want you to assist us reach out to members of the public with the information,’’
In addition, Mr. Oladele expressed his concern about the growing number of vehicles impounded by the FRSC that remain unclaimed for extended periods, spanning many days and even weeks.
To address this issue, the zonal commanding officer announced that motorists who neglect to pay the fines for their traffic offenses and do not collect their impounded vehicles within seven days would face legal action and be taken to court.
He said “We will not give you the opportunity to make the payments in the banks, you will have to meet us in court.
“The magistrate will invite you, and you will have to go to the court and explain why you committed a traffic infraction and why you did not come to make the payment early,’’
The Plateau NUJ Chairman, Paul Jatau, provided assurance to the zonal commanding officer of the FRSC, stating that journalists in the state are committed to collaborating and supporting efforts to enhance highway safety for all.
Mr. Jatau emphasized that the union had previously maintained a strong and productive working relationship with former commanding officers and sector commanders of the FRSC, and he pledged to continue fostering that positive collaboration.
Mr Jatau said “We promise, as a council, that we will synergise with you and do everything in our power to promote whatever you are doing.
“We appreciate that you are working for the general good of society, and we will give you all the support because those are things that we too, believe in.
“When you commence the operations that you talked about, reach out to us so that our colleagues will join you in enlightening the public,”
During the visit, the zonal commanding officer, Mr. Clement Oladele, was accompanied by the Plateau sector commander of the FRSC, Mr. Alphonsus Godwin.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has inaugurated three new governing councils for Institutions and Agencies in the state.
The establishments with newly governing councils are Persons with Disabilities, Edo University, Iyamho and Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) Service Commission.
After inaugurating the three groups in the new Festival Hall in Government House, Benin City, Okpebholo charged the new appointees to discharge their duties effectively and efficiently.
The Governor said the task for the newly-inaugurated bodies is enormous and charged them to discharge their duties and responsibilities according to the law governing the State.
ALSO READ: State Of Emergency Resonates In Edo State
“We are all here because of this event today as my administration has carefully selected those we are inaugurating today to collaborate with us to pilot the affairs of the State and contribute to its development.
“We have carefully selected great minds to run the affairs of Edo State House of Assembly Service Commission believing they will bring the needed change required to develop Edo State,” he said.
To the members of the Governing Council Edo State Commission for Persons with Disabilities, led by the chairman, Theophilus Egbodion, the Governor said that despite their challenges, his administration would not discriminate against anybody.
“There is no discrimination in this administration. We are all one working to achieve our common goal, which is to develop Edo State. The situation you find yourselves is not made by you but caused by circumstances and with you in our Government, we will relate with others very well. You are not disabled in mind as I promise to work with you as all your requests will be looked into.”
For the governing council of Edo State University Iyamho, led by Prof. Olusegun Akinyinka, the Governor, said the members chosen by his administration were a well-calculated move to bring credible people with proven characters to govern and move the school forward.
“Your choice is deliberate as we believe that with your experience, the school will do very well. As we inaugurate you today, the university will experience a new dawn such that the school will assume an enviable height,” he stated.
Okpebholo said the task ahead of the newly-inaugurated members is enormous and “I charge you to discharge your duties and responsibilities according to the law governing the State. I want to thank and welcome you to the fold.”
Responding, the chairmen, Edo State House of Assembly Service Commission, Hon. Ezehi Igbas; chairman Governing Council Edo State commission for persons with disabilities, Egbodion; and Chairman Governing Council of Edo University, Iyamho, Prof. Olusegun Akinyinka thanked the Governor for finding them and their team worthy of the appointments and promised to support and collaborate with the administration to succeed.
The Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) in Rivers State have been thrown into a state of anxiety following a directive from the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), ordering them to submit reports detailing the activities of their councils over the past two years.
The directive, issued through a letter from Dame Dr. Itong Awani, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, mandates that the reports be submitted by Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
The sudden call for accountability has unsettled many LGA heads, particularly given the political backdrop in Rivers State.
Following the Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the 2024 local government elections, suspended Governor Siminialayi Fubara had directed the HLGAs to take over local government administration.
READ MORE:Lawyer Petitions Court To Declare Rivers Sole Administrator’s Appointment Null
Now, the administrator’s demand for a comprehensive report has sparked speculation about potential changes in the councils’ leadership.
The letter, which only became public on Wednesday, outlined specific areas the reports must cover. According to the directive, HLGAs must provide: Introduction/Preamble, Functions of the Council, Number of Staff on Nominal Roll (categorized by cadre), Sources of Revenue Generation, Activities, Ongoing, and Completed Projects in the Past Two Years, Achievements of the Council, Challenges and Recommendations.
The letter emphasized the urgency of compliance, stating: “His Excellency, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State has directed that all Heads of Local Government Administration should submit the report of their councils to the office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs.
“I am also to inform you that all submissions using the format listed below should reach the office of the undersigned on or before Wednesday, 26th March, 2025, for onward transmission to the office of the Sole Administrator, Government House, Port Harcourt for further necessary action.”
Additionally, the directive instructs LGA heads to highlight the challenges faced by their councils and provide recommendations on how to address them.
A fire outbreak on Tuesday night severely damaged a two-storey commercial building on Iweka Road, near Ochanja Main Market in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Anambra State Fire Service said it received a distress call at around 9:35 p.m. and immediately dispatched firefighters to the location.
Fire Chief Chukwudi Chiketa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the cause of the fire was yet to be determined.
READ ALSO: Billions Lost As Fire Razes Kano Market, Recycling Hub
“We don’t know the exact cause of the fire, but we were called to respond, and we did,” he said.
He further disclosed that four shops, mainly dealing in furniture materials such as leather and foam, were affected.
“These shops contained furniture materials such as leather, foam, and other items,” he added.
The firefighting team worked tirelessly through the night, eventually withdrawing from the scene around 3:05 a.m.
In the aftermath, residents and traders gathered at the site, attempting to salvage whatever remained of their goods.
Okpebholo Inaugurates Three Governing Councils
Kunle Remi, Wife Welcome First Child After Challenging Journey
Rivers Sole Administrator Orders LGAs To Submit Two-Year Reports
Fire Ravages Two-Storey Commercial Building In Anambra
State Of Emergency Resonates In Edo State
