By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has uncovered a criminal network involved in the production and use of fake diplomatic and government number plates allegedly used by criminals to evade security checks and arrest across Abuja.
Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed this on Friday during a briefing at the command headquarters, saying the investigation was launched shortly after he assumed office following reports of the widespread abuse of official vehicle registration plates.
According to the police chief, the operation exposed both the illegal users of the plates and the supply chain responsible for their production and distribution.
Several unauthorised diplomatic and government number plates were recovered from different parts of the FCT, while suspects linked to the syndicate have been arrested and will be charged to court after investigations are concluded.
Sanusi said the command remains committed to dismantling criminal networks exploiting official number plates to evade law enforcement, assuring residents that sustained operations would continue until crime is significantly reduced in the territory.
In a related development, the command also recovered vandalised public infrastructure worth millions of naira and arrested five suspects over the theft of critical government assets.
The recovered items include drainage covers, solar street lights, armoured high-voltage electricity cables and internet communication cables recovered during coordinated operations in Maitama, Garki, Durumi, Jabi, Apo Legislative, Lugbe and Nyanya.
The suspects identified as Godwin Aja, Mustapha Nasiru, Ibrahim Garba, Abdulrasheed Sale and Dabarani Mujitafa are currently in custody as investigations continue.
Sanusi said vandalism of public infrastructure poses serious economic, safety and security risks, noting that stolen drainage covers have contributed to accidents, while the theft of solar lights, power cables and communication infrastructure has disrupted essential services and created opportunities for criminal activities.
He warned dealers and buyers of stolen public assets that the command would go after everyone involved in the criminal supply chain, adding that the recovered items would be handed over to the Federal Capital Territory Administration for reinstallation.
The Commissioner attributed the successes to intelligence-driven policing and increased public cooperation, urging residents to continue providing timely information to support ongoing efforts to combat crime across the FCT.
