The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has initiated efforts to rid the country of fake third-party motor vehicle insurance certificates, following the discovery that a large number of motorists still operate with counterfeit documents.

This was disclosed yesterday in Abuja during a raid at the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) Headquarters in Mabushi, where NAICOM officials, in collaboration with security agencies, confiscated fake documents being issued to motorists. Adeyemi Abubakar, Head of Market Development at NAICOM, told journalists that the exercise was in response to a directive from the Inspector-General of Police mandating strict compliance with third-party motor vehicle insurance across the country.

“There was a directive of the IG of police that all third-party motor vehicles must be properly insured. In carrying out this directive, we noticed that a lot of the third-party documents in circulation are fake,” Abubakar said.

He explained that NAICOM has partnered with the police to crack down on illegal operators who produce and sell forged policies, stressing that the practice endangers lives and denies Nigerians the protection they pay for.

“People’s lives are being threatened because they pay for insurance but end up with fake certificates that provide no cover when they need to make claims. Imagine buying what you believe is a genuine policy at the VIO office, only to discover later that the document is worthless,” he said.

Abubakar added that the sanitization exercise would not be limited to Abuja but would be extended to all parts of the country where such illegal activities thrive. He revealed that NAICOM had already seized several forged documents that were printed and sold at the gate of the VIO office.

To help the public distinguish genuine policies from fake ones, Abubakar noted that NAICOM has deployed digital solutions, including an app and a verification code, that allow motorists to confirm the authenticity of their insurance certificates instantly.

“The public is advised to purchase insurance only from licensed companies and their accredited agents or offices. If you buy from unauthorized persons, you risk wasting your money and being left stranded during claims settlement,” he warned.

He further explained that third-party motor insurance is not just a regulatory requirement but a vital instrument of financial protection in the event of accidents. “If you scratch someone’s car or cause damage, all you need to do is present your insurance, and the insurance company will take care of the settlement. In cases of injury, the insurer is also responsible for compensation. It prevents unnecessary fights and disputes on the road,” he said.

Abubakar also issued a stern warning to illegal operators involved in printing and selling fake policies, urging them to either regularize their activities through proper registration with NAICOM or face prosecution.

“If you are not licensed by NAICOM, you cannot sell insurance—not as an agent, not as a broker, not as an insurance company. To be in the business legitimately, you must register as an agent, broker, or web aggregator linked to an insurance company. That way, you can earn your commission legally and operate within the system,” he said.

He stressed that policies sold by unlicensed operators are not captured in NAICOM’s database, making it impossible for victims of accidents to make claims. “We have verified many of these documents, and none of them exist in our system. This means no claims can be honored on them. That is why we are carrying out this operation to protect the public interest,” he stated.

Abubakar concluded that the Commission would sustain nationwide raids and awareness campaigns until fake operators are rooted out of the system. “This is about protecting lives and ensuring Nigerians get value for money. The era of buying ‘police let me pass’ insurance is over. Motorists must insist on genuine policies that guarantee real protection,” he said.