By Fatima Saka
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have intensified efforts to combat the growing abuse of diplomatic number plates, following the discovery of over 1,000 vehicles operating with fake or unauthorized diplomatic and government identification across Nigeria.
This resolution was reached during a high-level engagement in Abuja on Monday, where the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, met with the FRSC Corps Public Education Officer, Deputy Corps Commander Osondu Ohaeri, and the Assistant Corps Marshal for Operations, Olusegun Ogungbemide.
The meeting focused on rising security concerns linked to the proliferation of falsified diplomatic plates, impersonation, and the illegal use of official vehicle identification documents. Both institutions described the trend as a serious national security threat capable of enabling criminal activities and concealing identities.
Speaking during the visit, Ebienfa revealed that the Ministry is already campaigning against the unlawful use of ambassadorial titles by unauthorized individuals, noting that many offenders also deploy fake diplomatic passports and vehicle plates.
In response, the FRSC disclosed that recent nationwide enforcement operations led to the interception of about 1,000 vehicles found to be using fake diplomatic plates, cloned registration documents, and other fraudulent identifications.
The agencies warned that the misuse of diplomatic number plates undermines Nigeria’s diplomatic integrity, violates international norms, and damages the country’s global reputation.
To address the challenge, both parties agreed to strengthen collaboration through enhanced information sharing, stricter verification procedures, and the development of a robust monitoring framework for the issuance and use of diplomatic number plates.
They also proposed the integration of diplomatic accreditation records with vehicle registration databases to enable real-time verification and prevent unauthorized use of diplomatic privileges.
The Ministry commended the FRSC for its proactive enforcement efforts and reaffirmed its commitment to working with relevant security agencies to safeguard Nigeria’s diplomatic system.
As part of ongoing cooperation, both institutions plan to intensify public awareness campaigns to educate stakeholders on the proper use of diplomatic plates and the legal consequences of abuse, including impersonation and forgery.
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The Ministry emphasized that diplomatic number plates remain the exclusive property of accredited diplomatic missions, international organizations, and recognized diplomatic personnel, warning that such privileges must not be transferred, sold, or misused under any circumstances.
It further called on members of the public to report suspected cases of misuse to appropriate authorities, reiterating its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s diplomatic credibility, national security, and international standing.
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