The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has recovered several vandalised public infrastructure and uncovered a criminal network involved in the production and use of fake diplomatic and government number plates.
The FCT 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 different locations across the territory.
He said the recoveries were made through intelligence-based operations and anti-crime patrols carried out in areas including Maitama, Garki, Durumi, Jabi, Apo Legislative Quarters, Lugbe and Nyanya.
The police commissioner identified five suspects arrested in connection with the vandalised infrastructure as Godwin Aja, Mustapha Nasiru, Ibrahim Garba, Abdulrasheed Sale and Dabarani Mujitafa.
Sanusi described the vandalism of public facilities as economic sabotage, warning that the activities had contributed to road accidents, injuries, increased criminal activities in poorly lit areas and disruption of electricity supply.
“The removal of drainage covers, solar street lights, armoured cables used for high-voltage electricity transmission and internet communication cables worth millions of naira by a few unscrupulous individuals for personal gain has caused serious damage to public safety and infrastructure,” he said.
He warned scrap dealers and individuals involved in buying stolen public assets that the police would pursue every person connected to the criminal supply chain.
Sanusi added that the recovered materials would be handed over to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for reinstallation and restoration.
Police Investigate Fake Diplomatic Number Plates
The commissioner also announced the recovery of several fake diplomatic and official government number plates allegedly used by criminals to avoid security checks and gain access to restricted areas.
He said investigations began after he received reports about the increasing use of unauthorised diplomatic registration numbers shortly after assuming office.
Sanusi explained that some criminals use fake plates as a cover to evade arrest and move freely through security checkpoints, ministries and government facilities.
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“Upon my assumption of duty, my attention was drawn to the proliferation and unauthorised use of diplomatic and official government licence plates. I immediately ordered a comprehensive investigation, which revealed that some individuals use them to commit crimes and avoid detection,” he said.
The investigation, according to him, uncovered both the users and the supply network responsible for producing and distributing the fake plates.
He disclosed that some suspects had already been arrested and would be charged to court after investigations are concluded, while manufacturers operating outside the FCT had also been identified.
Sanusi said some buyers paid between N500,000 and N1.7 million to obtain the fake number plates, suggesting that they were acquired for criminal purposes.
He urged residents and journalists to report vehicles displaying suspicious diplomatic registration numbers, noting that genuine diplomatic plates follow recognised formats.
The commissioner assured residents that the command would continue using intelligence-led policing and public cooperation to reduce crime and improve security across the FCT.
