The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate suspension of the proposed enforcement of the electronic central motor registry registration process (e-CMR) initially scheduled to commence on July 29, 2024.

This was disclosed via a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Sunday, July 14.

Adejobi noted that the suspension of the e-CMR would allow mass enlightenment and education of all citizens and residents on the process, benefits and effectiveness in solving the challenge of vehicle-related crimes, and protection of individual and corporate vehicle ownership.

He stated that the e-CMR was designed to ensure the safety and security of all types of vehicles including motorcycles by collating data imputed into the system by vehicle owners and acting on such to flag the vehicles if reported stolen.

According to him, the e-CMR will provide a firsthand database to the Nigeria Police Force for curbing vehicular crimes as dedicated officers can access real-time comprehensive data of every vehicle on their tablets.

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The police spokesperson added that the e-CMR would prevent multiple registrations of vehicles and serve as a database to collate biometric and other data of vehicle owners and individuals, adding value to the national database and incident report portal generated from other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) towards general security.

Adejobi said contrary to news making the rounds and insinuations about the process, the e-CMR is not a revenue-generating platform but an initiative to digitalise policing for effectiveness and general safety of lives and property of Nigerian residents.

He, however, enjoined the public to obtain the digitalised CMR certificate online at https://cmris.npf.gov.ng, adding: “In light of this, we seek the understanding and support of all well-meaning Nigerians and residents to key into the e-CMR system.

“In the same vein, the IGP charges all police officers to desist from requesting for e-CMR certificates as individuals found extorting or exploiting members of the public on the guise of not having e-CMR certificates will be sanctioned accordingly as the enforcement which will be done by only dedicated officers has been suspended till further notice.”

The Star