Many motorists in Nigeria have expressed worries and fears that the commencement of the enforcement of Third-Party Vehicle insurance will lead to a new form of extortion and harassment from officers of the Nigeria Police Force.
Third-party motor insurance is the minimum legal requirement for all vehicle users on Nigerian roads under the Third Party (Motor Insurance) Act (1945) as amended by the Insurance Act of 2003. It provides coverage for third-party property damage, bodily injury or death caused to third parties as a result of an accident involving the insured vehicle.
According to Section 68 of the Insurance Act of 2003, it noted that;
“(1) No person shall use or cause or permit any other person to use a motor vehicle on a road unless a liability which he may thereby incur in respect of damage to the property of third parties is insured with an insurer registered under this Act.
“(2) The insurance taken out pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall cover liability of not less than N1 million.
“(3) The insurance under this section shall be in addition to the liabilities required to be insured under the Motor Vehicle (Third Party) Insurance Act, 1950, and shall be regulated mutatis mutandis by the provisions of the Act.
“(4) A person who contravenes the provisions of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N250,000 or imprisonment for one year or both.”
The Matrix reports that the police on the order of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun over the weekend commenced the full enforcement of the Third-Party Vehicle Insurance.
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The enforcement has commenced nationwide from February 1, 2025, with the police in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) expressing readiness to ensure compliance with this requirement.
In Abuja, the FCT Police Command disclosed that it has commenced the enforcement of the mandatory minimum Third-Party Motor Vehicle Insurance from February 1, 2025.
According to a statement by the spokesperson of the Command, Josephine Adeh, she noted that the enforcement is in compliance with the directive of IGP to Commissioners of Police across the federation.
The command said that all vehicle owners in FCT are required to possess a valid Third-Party Insurance policy before operating on public roads, urging those without any form of insurance to get insured immediately to avoid penalties
Similarly, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin noted that vehicle owners in Lagos State must possess a minimum of valid third-party insurance.
He advised those without any class of Insurance are advised to get insured immediately, while cautioning vehicle owners and operators against non-compliance with this essential regulation.
According to Hundeyin, failure to comply with the regulation will result in strict enforcement actions, including fines, penalties or both.
This enforcement has triggered apprehension from many motorists who fear that this may lead to another form of extortion.
Taking to social media to express his frustration, Simeon Kanu Chinedum tagged the enforcement as an avenue to exploit the citizens.
“Always looking for a way to exploit the citizens… this is giving police another means to be cashing out on the road,” he wrote.
According to Oluduro Daramola Samuel, while it is a good policy, it should be done with a force.
“The third party insurance is a good policy for individuals to have. But the policy shouldn’t come with a force.
“Besides, what is the interest of NPF in insuring a car against a third party? What exactly is the role of FRSC? This is a loss of priority. Implementing something and enforcing it immediately means there must be an interest which is not that clear to the public” he said.
On his part, Barnabas Izuchukwu Ikeji expressed worries that this might be another avenue for the police to extort Nigerians.
“What NPF Nigeria Police Force need is avenue to extort Nigerians. Whatever enforcement you see them embark on is an avenue to make money” he also wrote.
Patrick Ovie admonished that the police should not start harassing and extorting motorists.
“Did the police just know about this third-party insurance for the first time? Why all the fuss? Hope they won’t start harassing and extorting people by claiming an original document is fake”.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has allayed the fears of Nigerians regarding extortion from its officers regarding the enforcement of Third-Party Vehicle Insurance.
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The Commissioner of Police, FCT, Olatunji Disu, directed officers assigned to carry out the enforcement to be professional, courteous, and firm in the discharge of their duties.
He also stressed that no form of harassment or extortion of motorists would be tolerated.
Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Gyogon Grimah also warned his personnel never to extort motorists in the state who have been directed to register their Third Party Insurance.
In a related development, Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi warned social media influencers and activists against antagonising the police on the issuance and enforcement of the third-party vehicle insurance policy.
In a statement titled Insurance: Police Does Not Issue 3rd Party Insurance, Force Cautions Social Media Influencers, Activists Against Misleading Nigerians, Adejobi said that contrary to the allegation of the commentators, the Nigeria Police Force “does not issue third-party insurance.”
He added: “The responsibility for obtaining this mandatory insurance lies with vehicle owners through their respective insurance companies.
It reads, “the attention of the police has been drawn to misinformation and misleading comments credited to some social media influencers and activists antagonising the police on the issuance and enforcement of the 3rd party insurance policy, where the NPF has been alleged of using the policy to rake in money.
“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to emphasize that it does not issue third-party insurance as it has been misconstrued by some individuals. The responsibility for obtaining this mandatory insurance lies with vehicle owners through their respective insurance companies. The Force has commenced the enforcement operations of the insurance policy with effect from today, February 1, 2025, aiming to enhance road safety and protect the rights of accident victims.
“In light of this enforcement, the Force therefore cautions social media influencers and activists against spreading misinformation regarding insurance policies as the police is solely for the enforcement, not the issuance of the insurance cover.
“Dissemination of accurate information is vital to prevent misleading the public, while misconceptions can eventually lead to non-compliance and potential legal repercussions for motorists.
