Operation No Stories: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving December Checkpoints

The calendar has flipped. We are deep in the Ember Months.

In Lagos, this signals two things. First, the traffic on the Lekki Epe Expressway will defy the laws of physics. Second, and more importantly, the men in black and beige and orange will be out in full force.

You know the drill. You are driving to a wedding on a Saturday. You are dressed in a full agbada. You are running late. Then you see the baton wave. You roll down the window, hoping for a quick greeting. Instead, you hear the four words that ruin every day for a Lagosian.

Oga park well.

December is not the time for calling your uncle. It is not the time for saying you forgot it at home. The authorities, including VIO, FRSC, and Police are looking to meet their year-end targets. If your papers are not correct, your car is going to the station.

But here is the problem. Most Nigerian drivers do not actually know what the correct papers look like. We hand money to an agent in a kiosk, and he gives us a brown envelope, and we pray.

Today we are going to audit your glovebox. We are going to separate the Birth Certificates from the Rent Receipts and explain exactly what you need to survive December without parting with your hard earned bonus.

The Big 4 Decoding the Documents

To the untrained eye, vehicle papers look like a mess of stamps and logos. But there is a logic to the madness. Let us break them down using simple analogies so you never get confused again.

Proof of Ownership is the Birth Certificate

This is the most critical document in your file, yet the most overlooked. The Proof of Ownership Certificate, or POC, is the birth certificate of your car. It is the official government declaration that says this metal machine belongs to Mr A.

Many people buy a used car and never do a Change of Ownership. They drive around with a POC that bears the name of the previous owner.

The risk here is massive. If that car was ever used for a crime or if the previous owner reports it stolen to scam you, then you have no legal leg to stand on. You are driving another man's car. Unlike your license, this does not expire. But it must be in your name.

Vehicle License is the Rent

If the POC is the birth certificate, the Vehicle License is the rent you pay to the government for the privilege of using their roads. It is an annual tax.

This is usually the first thing they check at the roadblock. If it expired yesterday, do not expect mercy.

Roadworthiness is the Medical Report

This is the health certificate of your car. It is the government asking if this car can stop when it needs to stop.

It requires an inspection by the VIO. They check your brakes and lights, and tires. If your car looks battered with a cracked windshield or broken bumper, a valid Roadworthiness certificate will not save you. They will inspect you right there on the road.

Insurance is the Bodyguard

Think of Car Insurance as a bodyguard you pay a monthly retainer. If trouble comes, like an accident or fire, or theft, the bodyguard steps in with cash so you do not have to empty your savings.

Third Party Only is the minimum requirement. It covers the other person. If you hit a Danfo, TPO fixes it. It does not fix your car.

Comprehensive covers everyone. If you reverse into a pillar at a mall, Comprehensive fixes your bumper.

Be warned about fake papers. If you bought your insurance for ₦2,000 from a guy named Segun Links on WhatsApp, it is fake. With the new NIIRA 2025 system, police can verify your policy instantly on a handheld device. If it returns Not Found, you will proceed to the station.

The Silent Killer is Transfer of Ownership

This is where 60% of Lagos drivers fail.

You bought a Nigerian Used Corolla. You paid the seller. You collected the papers. You think you are done.

You are not.

Until you complete the Transfer of Ownership at the licensing office, that car does not legally belong to you. It is like buying a house, but leaving the Certificate of Occupancy in the seller's name.

If you are stopped and the name on your driver's license does not match the name on the Proof of Ownership, expect a lengthy interrogation. They will suspect the car is stolen. And honestly, they have every right to.

The Rabbar Strategy, Remote and Reliable

The reason people have expired papers is not that they are criminals. It is because the renewal process in Lagos is traumatic.

No busy professional wants to spend a Tuesday morning queuing under the sun at the licensing office, dealing with touts and network downtime.

This is why we launched the Rabbar Remote Rider Service.

We have removed the friction. You do not need to leave your office. You do not need to talk to a tout.

You snap a picture of your old papers and send it to us via WhatsApp. We handle renewals directly with licensing authorities such as MVAA and VIS. We verify everything on the NVIS database. Then a Rabbar rider brings the original hard copies to your doorstep.

If you need a physical Roadworthiness inspection, we can pick up the car, take it for inspection, and return it.

The December Promise

The Ember Months are for celebration, not for arguing with officers on the side of the road while your family waits in the car.

Open your glovebox today. Look at the dates.

If anything is expiring between now and January, do not manage it. Do not say you will do it next week. The officers are not waiting for next week.

Send a message to Rabbar. Let us handle the bureaucracy so you can handle the Detty December