The syndicate behind the controversial Kano “CHIP WHIP” number plate and others has been uncovered by the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Federal Roads Safety Corps, FRSC.
Some of the members of the syndicate have been arrested in Kano and Kebbi states, according to the spokesman of the FRSC, Mr. Bisi Kazeem.
He said the order for the probe of the fake number plate was made following the uproar that greeted the “CHIP WHIP” number plate recently.
According to him, the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, directed the Kano State FRSC Sector Commander, Corps Commander Zubairu Mato, to collaborate with security agencies to fish out those involved.
He added that consequent upon the directive, DSS Kano State was intimated and immediately swung into action.
“On Tuesday 12th November, 2019, DSS raided the following areas in Kano State: Sabon Gari; Kofar Ruwa; Gidan Boss (Kofar Mazugal); Kofar Wambai (Yan Robobi) and Naibawa Zaria road.
“At Sabon Gari, a suspect was arrested and subsequently charged to court for production of fake number plates. The suspect was apprehended while digging the ground to hide the illegal number plates in his possession to evade arrest,” Kazeem said.
He said the State Director, DSS Kano State had in his reaction promised to sustain the tempo of clamping down on producers of fake number plates in the state.
He added that in a similar operation, the Corps arrested some persons at the Dodaru Market, Gwandu Local Government Area of Kebbi State who specialise in selling illegal number plates to motorcyclists.
The suspects were arraigned on Friday before the Chief Magistrate Court 1 Birnin Kebbi.
The accused were said to have pleaded not guilty but were remanded in prison custody by the Chief Magistrate till 28 November, 2019 when the case will be re-presented for hearing.
The Corps Marshal who expressed satisfaction over the fruitful synergy thanked the Director General DSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi for the prompt professional response deployed to arrest the perpetrators of the illegality.
He therefore called on all Nigerians who have vital information about any individual involved in the illegal act to provide such to the Corps for necessary actions.
