The Ogun State Police has warned motorists to desist from using vehicles that do not have a digitalised Central Motor Registry, an information service designed to curb car theft.
The spokesperson for the command, Odutola Omolola, in an interview with on Tuesday, said the command would begin to arrest drivers and confiscate vehicles without the new e-CMR.
This warning follows the recent arrest of a driver allegedly with a fake registration number.
During the arrest, a Toyota Venza vehicle with number late EKY 577 GS was said to have been intercepted during a stop-and-search along the Sagamu-Abeokuta Expressway on Saturday.
The police said the investigation showed that the registration number belonged to a different vehicle in Lagos and not the Toyota Venza.
The driver of the vehicle, Emmanuel Chidera, was said to have claimed that the registration of the vehicle was perfected somewhere in Mushin, contrary to the vehicle’s registration details.
The command spokesperson warned that the police would no longer allow vehicles without e-CMR to ply the state roads.
Odutola said, “We want to use this to warn motorists to go and get the new e-CMR to avoid their vehicles being confiscated by the police. We don’t want people driving DLA plates or unregistered vehicles; anyone caught will be arrested and the vehicle will be confiscated until the proper licensing is done with evidence.”
The e-CMR is an information system aimed at enhancing the safety and security of all Nigerians.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, had said recently that the initiative is a crucial step towards improving law enforcement capabilities and ensuring the well-being of citizens.
“CMR is a comprehensive system designed to streamline vehicle registration processes with a view to strengthening national security.
“Its full operationalisation would facilitate swift and efficient tracking of stolen vehicles, significantly increasing the chances of recovery; lead to the maintenance of an accurate and up-to-date database of registered vehicles, which would aid in the prevention and investigation of vehicle-related crimes such as kidnapping and one-chance activities involving,” he said
According to him, the system is also designed to make it impossible for stolen vehicles to be re-registered, adding a layer of security and discouraging criminals from engaging in such activities.
He further disclosed that to register for the e-CMR, individuals and corporate bodies can visit the official website at https://cmris.npf.gov.