By: Ike Philip Abiagom
The Delta State Police Command has officially launched Operation Velvet, a statewide enforcement exercise aimed at strengthening compliance with vehicle and traffic regulations, improving road safety, and enhancing security across the state.
The operation, which commenced on September 15, 2026, is being carried out in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
According to the Command, the exercise is targeted at vehicles operating without valid documents, unregistered vehicles, vehicles without number plates, and those bearing defaced, altered, obscured, or deliberately covered registration numbers.
Flagging off the operation in Asaba, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel Etaifo Erale, said the initiative is designed to ensure proper identification of vehicles and prevent criminal elements from exploiting improperly identified vehicles for unlawful activities.
The operation was simultaneously launched across the state’s nine Area Commands and various police divisions. During the initial enforcement exercise in Asaba metropolis, ten vehicles were found to have violated traffic regulations and were subsequently arraigned before a mobile court, where judicial proceedings are ongoing.
Speaking to journalists during the flag-off ceremony, CP Erale urged motorists and vehicle owners to ensure that their vehicles are properly registered and that approved number plates are clearly displayed at all times.
He also charged officers participating in the operation to conduct themselves with professionalism, civility, and respect for the rights of citizens, warning that acts of extortion, harassment, or any other form of misconduct would not be tolerated.
The Police Commissioner appealed to residents and road users to cooperate with law enforcement officers throughout the exercise, assuring the public that the operation would be carried out lawfully and with due regard for human dignity.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to enhancing public safety, enforcing traffic laws, and ensuring a more secure environment for all residents of Delta State.