Human Rights Activist Opposes Operation VELVET, Says Motorists Must Not Suffer for Licensing Agencies’ Failures

The Delta State Director of the Conference for the Actualisation of Human Rights, Prince Ukuanovwe Godstime Oj, has expressed strong opposition to the ongoing Operation VELVET enforcement exercise by the Delta State Police Command, calling for an urgent review of its implementation.

Godstime, in a statement, said while he recognises the legitimate responsibility of the Nigerian Police Force to protect lives and property and enforce applicable laws, such responsibilities must be exercised within the limits of the law and with due regard for the rights and welfare of citizens.

He argued that the Nigerian Police Force should not become a revenue-generating agency, stressing that its primary responsibility should remain the protection of lives and property, maintenance of public order and prevention of crime.

The human-rights advocate said the situation was particularly concerning given the prevailing economic hardship in the country, arguing that law-enforcement agencies should adopt approaches that protect citizens rather than unnecessarily compound their difficulties.

“No sane person would deliberately refuse to renew their vehicle papers, drive a vehicle with a worn-out number plate or refuse to register a vehicle purchased with their hard-earned money,” he said.

He, however, expressed particular concern over situations where motorists who have completed the required vehicle registration processes are unable to obtain or display their number plates because of delays or failures attributable to vehicle licensing authorities.

According to him, it is even more worrisome that motorists are now being made to suffer the consequences of failures and errors within vehicle licensing outfits, particularly where number plates have not been allocated or reflected on the relevant government websites after registration has been completed.

He questioned why citizens who have complied with the registration process should be subjected to enforcement measures for administrative failures that are beyond their control.

“If a motorist has completed the required registration process and paid the prescribed fees, but the licensing system fails to allocate or update the number plate information on its platform, such a citizen should not automatically be treated as a lawbreaker,” he said.

Godstime called for better coordination between vehicle licensing authorities and the police before motorists are subjected to enforcement, urging relevant agencies to first address administrative and technological failures within the registration system.

He also called on the Nigerian Police Force to embrace intelligence-led policing, technology and proactive security strategies rather than relying excessively on roadside enforcement.

“While I encourage the Nigerian Police Force to be creative and find better approaches to securing Nigerians and keeping their properties safe, such approaches must not come with unnecessary pains and suffering,” he said.

He maintained that security enforcement should focus on protecting citizens and their property, preventing crime and making communities safer, rather than creating additional hardship for motorists.

Godstime further disclosed that he would engage the National Director of the Conference for the Actualisation of Human Rights, Bar. Maxwell Omemiroro Ogedegbe, to undertake a legal and human-rights review of the ongoing operation and determine appropriate lawful steps that may be taken where citizens’ rights are being violated.

He stressed that the organisation’s position was not aimed at obstructing legitimate policing activities but at ensuring that enforcement remained lawful, humane, transparent and accountable.

“The era of lazy policing must give way to intelligence-led policing, technology, community engagement and proactive crime prevention,” he said.