Police relaunch Operation Velvet to enforce road safety, traffic regulations in Benue

The Benue State Police Command has relaunched Operation Velvet to enforce traffic regulations and disrupt the logistics networks of criminal syndicates using unregistered vehicles, in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the spokesman of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Orchia Aondogwu.

He said the operation aims to improve road safety, reduce traffic incidents and congestion, and promote responsible road use across the state.

Aondogwu said the exercise would enforce compliance with traffic laws among motorists, tricycle operators, motorcyclists and other road users.

According to him, key areas include compliance with traffic signs, one-way restrictions and speed limits, prevention of overloading, and possession of valid vehicle documents, including roadworthiness certificates.

Aondogwu said the command would also check for valid driver’s licences, proper vehicle registration, covered or obscured number plates, and ensure that plate number details correspond with vehicle documents.

He said the use of unauthorised tinted glass and other violations would also be addressed in accordance with the law.

Aondogwu said the Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus C. Nwadiogbu, had directed officers to carry out their duties professionally, respect human rights and engage appropriately with members of the public.

He also emphasised that enforcement must be accompanied by effective traffic management.

He further warned that extortion, harassment and intimidation of road users would not be tolerated, adding that officers had been directed to enforce the law firmly but professionally at all times.

Aondogwu said the command recognised that the goal of Operation Velvet was to promote compliance with road-use regulations and ensure safer roads, adding that offenders involved in serious traffic or criminal violations would be prosecuted.

He urged motorists and other road users to comply with traffic rules and ensure that all relevant documents were valid and up to date.

Aondogwu said the command reiterated that Operation Velvet was a safety and enforcement initiative, not a platform for harassment or extortion, and remained committed to ensuring safer roads across Benue State.