The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Baba has ordered immediate evacuation of all exhibited impounded, accident and unregistered vehicles from Police stations across the country.
A statement by the acting spokesperson of the Force Headquarters, CSP Olumuyiwa Afejobi on Tuesday, said “the order is predicated on the incessant embarrassing and unprofessional manner in which these vehicles are stacked within police facilities causing nuisance and disgusting sight at Police stations.
“The IGP frowns at the practice of stockpiling vehicles recovered from crime scenes or vehicles which ownership is being contested or in doubt; in police premises with stringent requirements and cumbersome processes for the rightful owners to reclaim them,” stressing that “such act will no longer be tolerated as it is tantamount to gross abuse of administrative and judicial processes.”
While emphasizing that heads of police stations and formations should embark on due process to carry out the needful evaluation and release such vehicles in these categories, on bond, to their owners, the IGP reiterated that “the directive is part of efforts being put in place by his administration to ensure conducive working environment for its personnel in order to set in motion such required strategies to combat crime and criminality in the country.
“The IGP further assures that decongesting Police stations and facilities nationwide, would be of great operational advantage to the Force in effectively dispensing its policing responsibilities as well as give succour to the owners of such exhibit vehicles,” the statement further reads.
IGP Baba urged concerned members of the public to approach various Police stations/formations for the recovery and claims of their vehicles, with valid proof of ownership and proper means of identification.
