- Say social media influencers misleading Nigerians on issuance of third party insurance
The police authorities yesterday warned their personnel not to see the enforcement of the Third Party Vehicle Insurance as a source for extorting motorists.
The enforcement commenced in most states yesterday except in a few places like Kano, Abia and Osun.
The Kano State Police Command expects to start its own enforcement later in the week.
The police commissioners in Akwa Ibom, Kwara, Ogun, Imo and Oyo states personally went round their state capitals to monitor compliance by motorists.
Major roads in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, were relatively free yesterday as some motorists, who apparently had not complied, left their vehicles at home to avoid seizure by the police.
The State Police Command had met with stakeholders including the media, labour leaders and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) as part of the sensitization campaign.
Some groups had requested that the enforcement date be shifted from February 1 to a later date to enable the police carry out more enlightenment campaign.
The chairman of Akwa Ibom State branch of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Sunny James, had requested during the stakeholders meeting convened by the command that the enforcement date be postponed “until sufficient enlightenment had been undertaken”.
Addressing reporters after monitoring compliance, Commissioner of Police, Mr Baba Mohammed Azare, said the exercise had been seamless.
He warned that motorists without third party insurance would have their vehicles impounded.
His Plateau State counterpart, Emmanuel Adesina, warned his officers and men to avoid extorting motorists in the course of enforcing the order.
He observed that many of the vehicles operating within the state are not insured, saying “this tends to pose a significant challenge to road safety, and accident victims when the need for compensation arise.”
He asked all vehicle owners to immediately obtain a valid third-party insurance to avoid facing legal consequences.
Imo State Police Commissioner Aboki Danjuma warned officers against misconduct, saying severe sanctions awaited those found wanting.
He urged vehicle owners to ensure their insurance documents were up to date.
The enforcement team consists of Divisional Traffic Officers (DTOs), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) members and Imo State Internal Revenue Service staff.
Spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, Mansir Hassan said the enforcement became necessary as the insurance policy provides protection for road users against liabilities arising from accidents involving insured vehicles.
“This initiative aligns with existing laws and regulations governing safety for road users and vehicle insurance in Nigeria.
“The enforcement aims to ensure compliance with the compulsory insurance policy, which provides protection for road users against liabilities arising from accidents involving insured vehicles,” he said.
Oyo State Police Commissioner Ayodele Sonubi and the Area Commanders went round the state to monitor compliance with the directive.
Sonubi urged residents, particularly owners of vehicles within the state, to update all relevant documents, especially their third party insurance status to avoid sanctions.
There was nothing noticeable about the enforcement in Abia State yesterday. Policemen seen in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state, went about their normal duties.
The spokesperson of the Command, Maureen Chinaka, could not be reached as her phone rang out several times without any response.
The police in Kano State said they would commence the enforcement of third-party insurance among motorists later this week
Commissioner of Police, Salman Dogo Garba, told The Nation that they had engaged proactive measures to ensure the safety and security of the people of the state, following a threat alert received by the command.
The enforcement of third-party insurance for motorists was poor in Osun State yesterday.
Police presence on the roads, especially in Osogbo, the state capital, was negligible.
Efforts to speak with the Police Command through its spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, were abortive as she did not respond to calls made to her phone.
The Nation gathered that some vehicles were impounded on the first day of the enforcement yesterday owning to non-compliance by motorists.
Social media influencers misleading Nigerians on issuance of insurance policy, say police
Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi last night accused unnamed social media influencers of antagonising the police on the issuance and enforcement of the third party vehicle insurance policy.
Adejobi said that contrary to the allegation of the commentators, the Nigeria Police Force “does not issue third-party insurance.”
He added: “The responsibility for obtaining this mandatory insurance lies with vehicle owners through their respective insurance companies.
“Dissemination of accurate information is vital to avoid misleading the public, while misconceptions can eventually lead to non-compliance and potential legal repercussions for motorists.”
