If you’ve been spotting “diplomatic” plates on Nigerian roads and wondering who exactly is driving them, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says many of them simply don’t belong there — and it’s now taking action.

According to cbinews.tv, the Federal Road Safety Corps has rolled out a fresh enforcement drive aimed at clamping down on fake diplomatic and ambassadorial number plates, as well as tackling dangerous overloading on highways.

The special patrol, tagged ‘Operation Guduma’, was officially launched on Monday in Awka, Anambra state, as part of efforts to tighten road safety compliance and improve security on Nigerian roads.

Speaking at the inauguration, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed — represented by the head of the Transport Union Coordination Unit, Oko Etuali — raised alarm over the growing misuse of fake diplomatic and government-issued number plates.

He explained that the FRSC has uncovered widespread cases where individuals are illegally using these plates to move around freely, a trend he described as worrying given Nigeria’s current security challenges.

“We discovered that most people are faking ambassadorial or diplomatic number plates and using them to ply the roads,” he said.

“Considering the insecurity in the country, the corps launched this strategic intervention patrol to ensure that all those using fake ambassadorial number plates and other illegal government number plates are brought to book.”

Mohammed also reminded the public that while the FRSC designs and produces number plates, it is actually state governments that issue them to officials, including lawmakers. He added that problems often arise when officials fail to return plates after leaving office.

He noted that each official plate comes with an expiry date, making it easier to identify legitimate users — and clamp down on misuse.

The FRSC confirmed that the operation has already begun in several states, with enforcement activities currently ongoing in both Anambra State and Enugu State. The exercise is scheduled to run from May 18 to May 22 in the affected areas.

On another key concern, overloading, the Corps said its newly created Transport Union Coordination Unit has begun awareness campaigns across motor parks, educating drivers on the risks involved.

According to Mohammed, many drivers still prioritise profit over safety by loading excess passengers or goods, a habit that endangers everyone on the road.

After the sensitisation phase, the FRSC says full enforcement will follow — with offenders expected to face sanctions as a deterrent to others.

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