The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) began nationwide enforcement of third-party vehicle insurance that kicked off February 1, 2025, mounting roadblocks and impounding defaulting vehicles.
In Akwa Ibom, the State Police Command mounted road blocks at various points and impounded defaulting ones over non-compliance with the Third Party Vehicle Insurance scheme on Saturday
Led by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, the enforcement team stopped and checked vehicles of different makes plying major routes in the state.
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Recall that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, directed all the police commands in the country to ensure that motorists present the third party insurance certificate of their vehicles to operatives.
Azare, enforcing the directive on Saturday, led senior officers of the Command to strategic areas in the state, including Uyo and Ikot Ekpene.
Along Nwaniba Road and Four Lanes, police equally stooped, checked the scheme and impounded defaulting vehicles.
He said the exercise would continue until all motorists have their vehicle third party insurance certificates.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the exercise, Azare expressed satisfaction that a good number of motorists accosted have their valid papers including the third party insurance certificate.
He attributed the development to vigorous sensitization on the issue by the police and other relevant stakeholders.
However, he noted that some vehicles were impounded after the owners failed to present the required papers.
According to him, the vehicles would only be released upon presentation of the valid documents within a given timeframe.
Failing to do so, the vehicle owners will face prosecution, he warned.
The commissioner of police who impounded the vehicle of a local government deputy chairman as well as some other prominent persons in the state over non-presentation of the required vehicle papers, said “the law is not a respecter of anyone”.
He advised the offenders to do the needful by renewing their papers before they can recover their vehicles.
“The third party insurance is the requirement of the law. You must have all your documents to ply Nigerian roads so we are enforcing the law. Ignorance is not an excuse in the eyes of the law,” he added.
In Abuja, police also enforce third party insurance
Meanwhile, in Abuja, the enforcement directive, issued by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, aims to strengthen road safety measures and ensure that all vehicle owners comply with insurance requirements to protect themselves and other road users.
A statement released on Friday, January 31, by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, emphasized the importance of compliance with the regulation.
“In line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force once again reiterates the enforcement of the Mandatory Third Party Insurance, which will commence on February 1, 2025,” the statement read.
The NPF cautioned vehicle owners and operators against non-compliance, stating that failure to obtain valid third-party insurance will attract fines, penalties, or both, as provided by law.
“Effective February 1, all vehicle owners nationwide are required to possess valid Third Party Insurance as they move about, and those without the insurance are advised to get insured quickly to avoid any sort of embarrassment,” Adejobi said.
The statement further noted that the IGP has directed all state commissioners of police to ensure proper enforcement of the regulation. Police officers will be authorized to conduct checks and impose penalties for non-compliance in accordance with existing laws.
The NPF reaffirmed its commitment to promoting road safety and safeguarding lives through strict adherence to traffic laws and regulations. It also urged the public to cooperate in ensuring the success of the initiative.
