The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has uncovered a criminal network involved in the illegal production and use of fake diplomatic and official government number plates.
The command also recovered vandalised public infrastructure, including drainage covers, solar-powered street lights, armoured electricity cables and internet communication cables, from suspected vandals operating within the territory.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Abuja.
Sanusi said the recoveries were made through intelligence-driven operations and proactive anti-crime patrols carried out across Maitama, Garki, Durumi, Jabi, Apo Legislative Quarters, Lugbe and Nyanya.
He identified five suspects arrested in connection with the recovered items as Godwin Aja, Mustapha Nasiru, Ibrahim Garba, Abdulrasheed Sale and Dabarani Mujitafa.
The police commissioner described the vandalism of public infrastructure as a form of economic sabotage, warning that such acts have serious consequences for residents and the development of the nation’s capital.
“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.
Sanusi warned scrap dealers, buyers and receivers of stolen public assets that the police had launched wider investigations aimed at dismantling the entire criminal chain involved in the theft and disposal of government property.
“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 said.
He added that the recovered infrastructure would be handed over to the Federal Capital Territory Administration for possible reinstallation and restoration of damaged public facilities.
The commissioner also announced the recovery of several fake diplomatic and official government number plates allegedly used by criminals to bypass security checks and gain unauthorised access to restricted areas.
According to Sanusi, investigations into the illegal use of such number plates began shortly after he assumed office, following reports of their increasing circulation among unauthorised individuals.
“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.
The police chief said the command would continue efforts to identify and prosecute those involved in the illegal manufacture, distribution and misuse of government and diplomatic number plates.
