**"New IG, Old Rhetoric: Police Ban on Covered Plates and Tinted Glasses Falls Flat"** Last week, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh, announced a ban on the use of covered vehicle number plates, tinted glasses that obscure the front and right side of vehicles, and unregistered vehicles on Lagos roads. This decision follows a directive from the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Olatunji Disu. The move is a timely one, given the current state of insecurity in the country. However, many Nigerians are skeptical about the genuine intent behind this directive. As we all know, when a new IG takes office, a flurry of directives is usually issued, only to be met with lukewarm compliance from the police officers. In fact, these directives often become an excuse for harassment and extortion of innocent motorists. Take, for instance, the directives from previous IGs to withdraw personnel attached to VIPs and dismantle roadblocks on major roads. Despite these orders, Nigerians have continued to experience the opposite - more harassment and extortion. Just recently, in February 2025, the immediate past IG, Kayode Egbetokun, directed police officers not to bear assault rifles when dressed in mufti and to stop using unmarked vehicles. However, these directives were hardly taken seriously by the police officers, who continued to disregard them. Given this history, it's no surprise that many Nigerians are dismissive of the latest directive. They see it as another empty rhetoric, designed to placate the public rather than address the real issues facing the police force. As we navigate the complex web of insecurity in our country, it's time for the police to walk the talk and genuinely enforce these directives. Only then can we say that the ban on covered plates and tinted glasses is more than just a hollow promise.