The Delta State Police Command has commenced a statewide enforcement operation targeting unregistered vehicles and other traffic violations, following the expiration of a two-week ultimatum given to motorists to regularise their documents.
The operation, codenamed Operation Velvet, began on Tuesday, September 15, and will cover highways and major roads across the state.
The exercise targets unregistered vehicles, vehicles with tinted glasses, vehicles without number plates and motorists driving against traffic, among other violations.
The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, disclosed this at the police headquarters in Asaba, the stage capital, saying the enforcement became necessary after the expiration of the two-week grace period given to motorists to obtain the required paperwork.
The development comes amid reports that more than 50 people died in road crashes and other preventable incidents across Delta between July and the second week of September 2026.
Edafe expressed concern over the fatalities, saying many of the deaths were linked to road traffic crashes and other preventable or induced incidents.
He said greater caution by motorists and other road users could have prevented some of the deaths.
The police spokesperson particularly warned motorists against driving against traffic, popularly known as “one-way”, saying anyone caught violating the rule would be arrested and prosecuted.
He said the operation was not designed to inconvenience law-abiding motorists but to protect lives and restore discipline on the state’s roads.
Edafe directed vehicle owners and operators to ensure that their vehicles were properly registered and complied with all statutory requirements before being put on the road.
“There will be no mercy for anyone caught,” he warned.
He said officers deployed for Operation Velvet had been directed to enforce traffic regulations without fear or favour.
Edafe appealed to motorists, transport operators and other road users to take the warning seriously and cooperate with the police during the exercise.
He said the command would sustain the operation to curb reckless driving and other activities capable of causing avoidable deaths.
According to him, the ultimate objective is to make Delta’s roads safer for motorists and other road users.
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