Motorists across Delta State have expressed outrage over what they described as “discreet” speed limit enforcement and heavy fines introduced by the Delta State Ministry of Transport through newly installed surveillance cameras.
The cameras, reportedly mounted in major cities including Uvwie, Warri, Udu, Ughelli, Asaba and Sapele, operate under the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system, popularly referred to as “plate detect.”
Drivers, however, lamented that there was no prior public sensitisation before enforcement commenced.
Of particular concern to motorists is the alleged absence of visible speed limit signs along major roads such as Airport Road, Okumagba Estate Roundabout, Deco Road and the Warri/Effurun-Sapele Road, where the cameras are said to be operational. Many argued that without clear road signs indicating approved speed limits, enforcement appears arbitrary.
Reports said aside from speed limit violations, the system also flags expired vehicle particulars and other traffic offences. In several cases, motorists claimed they only became aware of alleged infractions when they visited licensing offices to renew their documents months after the supposed offences were committed.
One of the affected motorists, Mr. Ese Yafugborhi, said he was fined N20,000 for an expired vehicle licence and N30,000 for alleged speed limit violation. According to a document sighted, the speed violation was said to have occurred on December 29, 2025, but he was only notified on February 17, 2026, during renewal.
“I’m very disappointed because I’m not aware of any law stating that if my vehicle particulars expire, I should not drive my vehicle. Secondly, there is no indication of speed limit within Warri town. That very day, I had a flat tyre issue and was even looking for a vulcaniser. I can’t remember driving at high speed,” Yafugborhi said, adding that the notification did not specify where the offence occurred or the speed recorded.
Another motorist, who identified himself simply as Tega, described the initiative as “anti-people,” especially given the condition of roads in parts of the state. He said he was fined N50,000 for late vehicle renewal and speed limit violation allegedly committed in January.
A Warri-based mechanic, Patrick Urie, faulted the system, noting that it was surprising for someone to be accused of breaking a traffic law without immediate notification or evidence.
“It is surprising for somebody to break a law and not know until months later when renewing papers. Government should sensitise people. Put road signs, clearly state the speed limits and ensure roads are motorable. There should be proof and a transparent process to challenge offences,” Urie said, calling for suspension of the initiative pending proper public awareness and infrastructure upgrades.
In a video posted on his Facebook page, the Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Onoriode Agofure, explained that the ANPR system scans vehicle number plates and checks them against a central database for violations such as expired documents, speeding and running red lights.
He said notifications are sent via calls and text messages to registered phone numbers, directing offenders to pay fines through www.paydelta.ng
According to him, failure to clear outstanding fines may prevent renewal of vehicle particulars and could result in impoundment by enforcement agencies. He urged residents to renew their documents promptly and obey traffic regulations.
However, reactions on social media have been mixed. A Facebook user, Oghenewarho Ojakovo, questioned the legal foundation of the initiative, arguing that vehicle registration data in Nigeria is centrally managed by the Federal Road Safety Corps. He called for clarity on enabling laws, jurisdiction over out-of-state vehicles and the existence of an appeals process for wrongly issued tickets.
Another user, Sucre Papii Henry Umukoro, alleged technical glitches in the system, claiming his vehicle was flagged for expired licence despite being valid. He said he was informed the issue stemmed from registering the vehicle outside Delta State and had to repeatedly visit the office before the record was corrected.
As public concerns mount, motorists are urging the state government to prioritise sensitisation, install visible speed limit signs and establish a transparent appeal mechanism to ensure fairness and accountability in the enforcement process.
- Media Report