ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Police Command has ordered a renewed crackdown on serious traffic violations across the state while warning officers deployed for the exercise against turning the operation into an avenue for extortion or harassment of motorists.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, August 16, 2026, following the reactivation of Operation VELVET in line with a directive from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
The renewed operation is intended to strengthen traffic law enforcement, improve road safety and ease vehicular movement across Delta State.
Under the exercise, police personnel are expected to focus on offences considered capable of endangering road users or disrupting traffic flow.
These include reckless and dangerous driving, driving against traffic, excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking, obstruction of traffic and illegal parking.
The enforcement will also cover driving without a valid driver’s licence or other required documents, the use of unregistered vehicles or vehicles without number plates, as well as fake, altered, defaced or concealed number plates.
Serious overloading and unauthorised use of sirens are also among the violations listed for enforcement.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, has directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and other operational commanders to ensure that the exercise is properly implemented within their jurisdictions.
But while ordering firm enforcement, the Commissioner stressed that personnel must operate within the law and respect the fundamental rights and dignity of members of the public.
The Command said officers assigned to the operation would be adequately briefed and supervised, with responsibility placed on their superior officers to ensure that enforcement personnel remain accountable.
Oyeniyi specifically warned against the use of Operation VELVET for extortion, harassment, intimidation or the unlawful seizure of vehicles and documents.
He also cautioned officers against abuse of office and other forms of professional misconduct, stressing that personnel found engaging in extortion, corruption or related offences would face disciplinary action in line with established police regulations and procedures.
The Command has also appealed to motorists and other road users to comply with traffic regulations and cooperate with officers carrying out lawful enforcement.
At the same time, motorists have been cautioned against offering money or other inducements to police officers in an attempt to avoid enforcement.
The Command said the success of the renewed operation would depend not only on police enforcement but also on the cooperation of road users, urging residents to support efforts to improve safety and traffic movement across the state.
The police assured the public that Operation VELVET would be implemented with professionalism, accountability and respect for the rule of law.
