The Benue State Police Command launches "Operation Velvet," a statewide enforcement drive targeting traffic violations, unroadworthy vehicles, and document fraud, with a warning against officer extortion.
Makurdi — August 20, 2026
The Benue State Police Command has launched "Operation Velvet," a statewide enforcement exercise aimed at improving road safety, reducing traffic incidents and congestion, and promoting responsible road use across the state.
The operation follows a directive from Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu and will target compliance among motorists, tricycle operators, motorcyclists, and other road users. Officers will focus on enforcement of traffic signs, one-way restrictions, speed limits, and rules against vehicle overloading, alongside checks for valid roadworthiness certificates and other required vehicle documents.
Beyond basic traffic compliance, the exercise will also verify drivers' possession of valid licences, confirm proper vehicle registration, and crack down on covered or obscured number plates, as well as mismatches between plate numbers and vehicle documentation. The use of unauthorised tinted glass will also be addressed under the operation.
Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus C.N. Nwadiogbu, has directed officers to carry out the operation professionally, with respect for human rights and appropriate engagement with the public, stressing that enforcement must go hand-in-hand with effective traffic management rather than blanket crackdowns.
He issued a firm warning that extortion, harassment, or intimidation of road users during the exercise will not be tolerated, instructing officers to enforce the law firmly but professionally at all times.
The command emphasized that Operation Velvet is intended purely as a safety and compliance initiative, not a platform for harassment, though it noted that offenders of serious traffic or criminal violations will still face prosecution.
The command is urging motorists and other road users to ensure all their documents are valid and up to date ahead of the enforcement drive. Residents encountering emergencies during the operation, or wishing to report any form of officer misconduct, can reach the command's control room at 08066006475 or 07067374913.
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