Impounded vehicles should be removed from every police station- IG

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has ordered the immediate removal of all impounded vehicles from police stations nationwide as the vehicles were constituting a nuisance and disgusting sight at police stations across the country.

The IGP also urged all concerned members of the public to approach various police stations for the recovery of their vehicles, with valid proof of ownership and proper means of identification.

The statement made on Tuesday by the Force Spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi read,  “The IGP frowns at the practice of stockpiling vehicles recovered from crime scenes or vehicles which their ownership is being contested or in doubt, in police premises with stringent requirements and cumbersome processes for the rightful owners to reclaim them.

“The order was predicted on the manner in which these vehicles are stacked within police facilities causing nuisance and disgusting sight at Police Stations, which is embarrassing and unprofessional.

“He said such an act would no longer be tolerated as it is tantamount to gross abuse of administrative and judicial processes.

“The IGP further emphasizes 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 reiterates that the directive is part of efforts being put in place by his administration to ensure a 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 the Police Stations and facilities nationwide would be of great operational advantage to the Force in effectively dispensing its policing responsibilities and giving succour to the owners of such exhibit vehicles.

“The Inspector-General of Police equally urges all 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.”