ABUJA – The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has recovered vandalised public infrastructure worth millions of naira and uncovered a criminal network involved in the production and circulation of fake diplomatic and official government number plates.
The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Abuja.
According to Sanusi, the recovered items include drainage covers, solar-powered street lights, armoured electricity cables and internet communication cables stolen from various parts of the FCT.
He said the recoveries were made through intelligence-led operations and proactive anti-crime patrols conducted 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.
The police commissioner described the vandalism of public infrastructure as economic sabotage, warning that it has contributed to road accidents, injuries to pedestrians, increased criminal activities in poorly lit areas and disruptions to electricity supply caused by the theft of high-voltage power cables.
He also 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 theft, distribution and disposal of vandalised infrastructure.
Sanusi said all recovered public facilities would be handed over to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for reinstallation to restore damaged infrastructure and improve public safety.
The commissioner further announced the recovery of several fake diplomatic and official government number plates allegedly used by criminals to evade security checks and gain unauthorised access to restricted locations.
He explained that investigations into the illegal number plates began shortly after he assumed office following reports of their widespread misuse by unauthorised individuals.
According to him, detectives uncovered not only those using the fake plates but also the network responsible for producing and distributing them.
“The suspects from whom these plate numbers were recovered are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” Sanusi said.
He added that the manufacturers of the fake number plates have been identified and are believed to be operating outside the FCT, with security operatives already tracking them.
Sanusi disclosed that investigations revealed some buyers paid between ₦500,000 and ₦1.7 million to acquire the fake diplomatic and official number plates.
He urged residents and journalists to report vehicles displaying suspicious diplomatic registration numbers, noting that genuine diplomatic plates follow a recognised registration format.
According to him, criminals exploit the fake plates to bypass security checkpoints and gain unrestricted access to government ministries and other sensitive locations.
Sanusi reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating crime across the Federal Capital Territory through intelligence-led policing and stronger collaboration with members of the public.
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