The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has uncovered a criminal syndicate involved in the production and circulation of fake diplomatic and official government number plates while also recovering large quantities of vandalised public infrastructure across Abuja.
The breakthrough was announced on Friday by the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, during a press briefing at the Command headquarters in Abuja. He said the operation followed intelligence-led investigations and sustained anti-crime patrols across several parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
According to Sanusi, police operatives recovered stolen drainage covers, solar-powered street lights, armoured electricity cables and internet communication cables removed from various locations within the FCT.
He said the items were recovered during operations carried out in Maitama, Garki, Durumi, Jabi, Apo Legislative Quarters, Lugbe and Nyanya.
Five suspects identified as Godwin Aja, Mustapha Nasiru, Ibrahim Garba, Abdulrasheed Sale and Dabarani Mujitafa were arrested in connection with the recovered items.
Sanusi described the destruction of public infrastructure as economic sabotage, warning that the activities of vandals had exposed residents to road accidents, increased insecurity in poorly lit areas and disrupted electricity and communication services.
“The removal of drainage covers, solar street lights, armoured cables used for the transmission of high-voltage electricity and internet communication cables worth millions of naira by a few unscrupulous individuals for personal gain has directly contributed to road traffic accidents, injuries to pedestrians, increased incidents of street crime in areas plunged into darkness and the disruption of electricity supply to entire communities through the theft of high-tension power cables,” he said.
The Police Commissioner warned scrap dealers and buyers of stolen public assets that investigations had been expanded to identify and prosecute everyone connected to the illegal trade.
“I want to use this opportunity to send a clear warning to all purchasers, receivers and dealers in stolen public infrastructure that the FCT Police Command is coming after you. We have commenced extensive investigations and will not relent until every link in the supply, distribution and disposal chain of these stolen public assets is identified and brought to justice,” he stated.
Sanusi added that all recovered infrastructure would be handed over to the Federal Capital Territory Administration for reinstallation to restore damaged facilities and prevent further accidents.
The Commissioner also disclosed that the Command uncovered a network responsible for manufacturing and supplying fake diplomatic and official government number plates used by criminals to beat security checks and gain access to restricted government facilities.
He explained that investigations into the syndicate began shortly after he assumed office following reports that diplomatic and official number plates were increasingly being used by unauthorised persons.
“Upon my assumption of duty as the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, my attention was drawn to the proliferation and unauthorised use of diplomatic and official government licence plate numbers by unauthorised individuals. I immediately ordered a comprehensive investigation into this disturbing trend, which revealed that these individuals use such plate numbers as a cover to perpetrate crimes within the Federal Capital Territory and evade detection and arrest,” he said.
According to him, police have arrested several users of the fake plates, while investigations also exposed the production and supply chain behind the operation.
He said the suspects already in custody would be charged to court after investigations are concluded.
Sanusi disclosed that although the manufacturers of the fake number plates operate outside the FCT, investigators have identified them and are closing in on the suspects.
“We are on their trail. We’ve gotten their identities. That’s why we are not displaying our suspects regarding this so that they will not know that we are coming after them,” he said.
The Police Commissioner further revealed that investigations showed buyers paid between ₦500,000 and ₦1.7 million to obtain the fake diplomatic and official number plates.
“Some of these things are ranging between ₦500,000 to ₦1.7 million for them to procure. This will tell you that they are making such huge expenditure because they have an agenda to fulfil with it, which they feel is bigger than the cost they are incurring. Now they will face punishment that is bigger than both the cost they incur and the agenda they are planning to use it to perpetrate,” he said.
Sanusi urged residents and journalists to report vehicles displaying suspicious diplomatic registration numbers, noting that authentic diplomatic plates follow an established format.
“They use these fake numbers to beat security checkpoints. They use them to go into ministries and parastatals unstopped because everybody feels once you are a diplomat or have these plates, you are a big man. Help us identify them. Raise an alarm and we will arrest them,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling crime across the Federal Capital Territory through intelligence-driven policing and stronger collaboration with members of the public.