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Police Commands in Oyo, Ogun, and Kwara have commenced the enforcement of the third-party vehicle insurance policy directive amid mixed reactions.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports on Wednesday that the enforcement officially began across the three states on February 1 as directed by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Ayodele Sonubi, who led and monitored the extent of compliance, told NAN that the enforcement was for the benefit of motorists.
According to the CP, Area Commanders in the state replicated the same in their respective jurisdictions and coverage areas.
Sonubi said the enforcement was part of the various ways of ensuring vehicles were roadworthy and had valid vehicle documents.
He stated that insurance companies were there to reduce the burden of motorists with third-party insurance policies whenever they got involved in accidents.
Sonubi said the enforcement would be a continuous exercise, urging residents, particularly vehicle owners within the state, to update all relevant documents to avoid sanctions.
Meanwhile, a motorist, Mr Kunle Adeyemi, said mandating vehicle owners to obtain third-party vehicle insurance in this current economic hardship was not fair on the part of the government.
Adeyemi said he would have to struggle to get the insurance to avoid unnecessary sanction, adding that all his other vehicle documents were still valid.
An Ibadan-based lawyer, Mr David Fatola, berated the IG on the directive, stating that any policy without constitutional basis was null and void.
According to him, some occupiers of certain positions in Nigeria are making life difficult for the citizens.
He, however, expressed optimism that the directive would be challenged in court and that the I-G would definitely lose the battle.
“I understand the decision had already started causing pandemonium in Akwa Ibom and a few other states of the federation.
“This is exactly what the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari did when it wanted to illegally elongate the tenure of the then I-G, which met with stiff opposition from Nigerians.
“Then, the court ruled against them, and I-G Idris was dropped eventually,” Fatola said.
He, however, stated that he had not seen anywhere in Oyo State where the police had enforced the directive.
A private vehicle owner, Mr Samson Afuye, expressed sadness that the Federal Government, through the police, could impose more pain on Nigerians.
According to him, Nigerians are merely struggling to survive the already hash economy.
However, a Lagos-based insurance expert, Mr Toni Amuno, noted that the directive was for the good of the people, though the economic situation in the society called for more caution.
He advised that Nigerians be given more time to balance out economically before going for the policy.
Mrs Mahmudat Yussuf, a legal practitioner and the Oyo State Lead, Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum, saw the enforced policy as a great and welcome development.
Yussuf remarked that Section 3 of the Motor Vehicles (Third-Party Insurance) Act made it compulsory for vehicle owners to obtain third-party insurance policies.
“This he can do if he has a reasonable cause to believe the driver or vehicle owner has contravened the act or is going about with a forged third-party certificate.
“This provision of Section 20 does not contradict any other law that establishes the Nigeria Police or the Constitution.
“So, in my view, the IG’s directive is in order.
“He is only reiterating what has been provided for by the law,” she said.
In Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun, NAN observed police checkpoints along the Itoki, Laderin, Okelewo, and Idiaba areas, with officers dutifully carrying out the directive.
A retired commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr Paul Ayeni, said Nigerians generally avoid insurance because they believe it is a scam.
“They see insurance as a scam because they don’t get paid their claims,” he said.
He, however, said there had been an improvement in claims payment with the reforms made by the National Insurance Commission, Nigeria Insurers Association, and other insurance regulating bodies.
Meanwhile, the police command in Kwara said it had commenced the enforcement of the directive, warning that non-compliance could earn offenders a year jail term or a N250,000 fine.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the enforcement and compliance checks began on Feb. 1 across the state.
“Since the enforcement began, no major arrests have been made.
“Sensitisation is ongoing to educate road users on the benefits of motor insurance policies, and multiple checkpoints have been strategically deployed across the state for enforcement, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
“Specific checkpoints involved in the enforcement in Ilorin are at Ganmo, Oloje, Offa Garage, Geri-Alimi, and Challenge, among others.
“The inter lands are not excluded with the supervision of senior officers and men of the force conducting routine checks to ensure compliance.
“The enforcement level remains strict and methodical, aligning with the IGP’s directive.
“Officers are empowered to verify insurance documents and apply necessary sanctions for non-compliance.
“A person who contravenes the provision of Section 68 of the Insurance Act commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to a fine of N250,000 or imprisonment for one year or both,” she said.
The spokesperson, however, identified resistance from motorists attempting to evade checks as one of the challenges of the exercise.
NANf
