POLICE RAID FAKE DIPLOMATIC NUMBER PLATE OPERATION IN FCT
Read Time:3 Minute, 19 Second
By:Tajudeen Aminat
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has recovered vandalised public infrastructure from suspected criminals and uncovered a syndicate involved in the production and use of fake diplomatic and official government number plates.
Commissioner of Police Ahmed Sanusi disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Abuja.
According to him, the recovered items include drainage covers, solar-powered streetlights, armoured electricity cables and internet communication cables stolen from various parts of the FCT.
Sanusi 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.
He identified the five suspects arrested in connection with the recovered infrastructure as Godwin Aja, Mustapha Nasiru, Ibrahim Garba, Abdulrasheed Sale and Dabarani Mujitafa.
The police commissioner described the vandalism of public infrastructure as an act of economic sabotage with serious consequences for residents.
He noted that the theft of drainage covers, solar streetlights, high-voltage electricity cables and internet communication cables worth millions of naira had contributed to road accidents, injuries to pedestrians, increased street crime in poorly lit areas and widespread disruption of electricity supply.
Sanusi also warned scrap dealers and other buyers of stolen public infrastructure that the command had expanded its investigations to dismantle the entire criminal network.
“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 items would be handed over to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for reinstallation to restore damaged facilities and prevent further accidents.
The commissioner further disclosed that the command had uncovered a network responsible for producing and distributing fake diplomatic and official government number plates allegedly used by criminals to evade security checks and gain unauthorised access to restricted locations.
Sanusi said the investigation began shortly after he assumed office following reports of the widespread misuse of diplomatic and government number plates by unauthorised individuals.
He explained that investigations revealed the fake plates were being used to facilitate criminal activities while helping suspects avoid arrest at security checkpoints.
According to him, police have identified both the users of the counterfeit number plates and the network responsible for their production and distribution.
“The suspects from whom these plate numbers were recovered are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigation,” he said.
He added that although the manufacturers of the fake number plates operate outside the FCT, investigators had already identified them and were working to apprehend them.
“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.
Sanusi disclosed that investigations showed some buyers paid between ₦500,000 and ₦1.7 million to obtain the fake diplomatic and official number plates.
He said the substantial amounts paid indicated the buyers intended to use the plates for serious criminal purposes and warned that those involved would face the full weight of the law.
The commissioner also urged residents and members of the media to report vehicles bearing suspicious diplomatic registration numbers, noting that genuine diplomatic plates follow a recognised 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.
Sanusi reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and called for continued public cooperation in the fight against crime across the Federal Capital Territory.
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