The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has uncovered a network involved in the production and use of fake diplomatic and official government number plates, while also recovering vandalised public infrastructure stolen from different parts of Abuja.
The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed the development on Friday during a press briefing at the command headquarters.
He said intelligence-led operations and proactive patrols across Maitama, Garki, Durumi, Jabi, Apo Legislative Quarters, Lugbe and Nyanya led to the recovery of stolen drainage covers, solar-powered street lights, armoured electricity cables and internet communication cables.
Five suspects identified as Godwin Aja, Mustapha Nasiru, Ibrahim Garba, Abdulrasheed Sale and Dabarani Mujitafa were arrested in connection with the vandalised infrastructure.
Sanusi described the destruction and theft of public facilities as economic sabotage with serious consequences for residents.
“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 has contributed to road accidents, injuries to pedestrians, increased street crime and disruption of electricity supply.”
He warned scrap dealers and other buyers of stolen public assets that the police had expanded investigations to dismantle the entire criminal network involved in the illegal trade.
The police commissioner said all recovered infrastructure would be handed over to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for reinstallation.
Sanusi also revealed that the command had uncovered a syndicate responsible for producing and supplying fake diplomatic and official government number plates allegedly used by criminals to evade security checks and gain access to restricted locations.
He said the investigation was launched after reports of the growing misuse of diplomatic and government registration plates by unauthorised individuals.
“The investigation revealed that these individuals use such plate numbers as a cover to perpetrate crimes within the Federal Capital Territory and evade detection and arrest.”
According to him, suspects found with the fake number plates are currently in police custody and will be charged in court after investigations are concluded.
Although the manufacturers are believed to be operating outside the FCT, Sanusi said investigators have identified them and are working to apprehend them.
He disclosed that investigations showed buyers paid between ₦500,000 and ₦1.7 million to obtain the fake diplomatic and government plates.
“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.”
The commissioner urged residents to report vehicles displaying suspicious diplomatic registration numbers, noting that authentic diplomatic plates follow a recognised format.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling crime across the FCT through intelligence-led policing and stronger collaboration with the public.
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