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Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, CP Baba Mohammed Azare
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, has vowed to impound vehicles operating without valid Third-Party Insurance papers after the February 1, 2025, deadline.
This directive aligns with the order issued by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, mandating all vehicle owners to comply with the provisions of Section 68 of the Insurance Act and Section 312 of the 1945 Motor Vehicle (Third Party Insurance) Act.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting on Monday in Uyo, Azare stressed the importance of compliance with the directive.
The meeting, which included representatives from the Federal Road Safety Corps, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Labour Congress, and the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service, sought to ensure widespread awareness and cooperation ahead of the enforcement date.
“We convened this meeting to engage stakeholders, who will, in turn, sensitize their members on the necessity of having valid Third-Party Insurance,” Azare said.
He warned vehicle owners against non-compliance, stressing that offenders’ vehicles would be impounded.
“Once your documents are intact, you have nothing to fear. But if you fail to provide valid papers, your vehicle will be impounded and kept at the station until the necessary documents are renewed,” the CP warned.
Azare further cautioned against using fake insurance documents, adding that defaulters would be required to disclose the source of such documents.
In his remarks, the Federal Road Safety Corps Sector Commander in Akwa Ibom, Edward Odiete, urged motorists to ensure all their vehicle particulars, including insurance, are up to date to avoid embarrassment during enforcement.
The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service, Okon Okon, lauded the police for their proactive leadership and reiterated that Third-Party Insurance is a legal requirement for all vehicles. He appealed to vehicle owners to renew their insurance documents promptly.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state, Sunny James, commended the police for organizing a strategic meeting to discuss the enforcement.
He urged the public to renew their vehicle documents before the expiration of the grace period.
However, Deputy State Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, David Okon, called for an extension of the deadline, citing the need for more time to ensure successful compliance.
