RismadarVoice Reporters, July 31, 2026
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has uncovered a criminal network involved in the production and use of fake diplomatic and official government number plates, while also recovering vandalised public infrastructure stolen from various parts of Abuja.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Abuja, saying the operation was part of ongoing intelligence-led efforts to combat crime across the territory.
According to him, recovered public assets include drainage covers, solar-powered street lights, armoured electricity cables and internet communication cables allegedly stolen from locations including 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.
Sanusi described the vandalism of public infrastructure as economic sabotage, warning that the theft of critical facilities had contributed to road accidents, increased insecurity in poorly lit areas and disruptions to electricity and communication services.
“The removal of drainage covers, solar street lights, armoured cables and internet communication infrastructure by a few unscrupulous individuals has caused serious hardship for residents and endangered public safety,” he said.
He warned scrap dealers and buyers of stolen public infrastructure that the police had expanded investigations to dismantle the entire criminal supply chain.
The police commissioner also revealed that the command recovered several fake diplomatic and official government number plates allegedly used by criminals to evade security checks and gain unauthorised access to restricted government facilities.
He said investigations into the racket began after reports of the widespread use of diplomatic and government registration plates by unauthorised persons.
“Upon my assumption of duty, I ordered a comprehensive investigation into the proliferation and unauthorised use of diplomatic and official government licence plates. Our findings revealed that criminals use these plates to perpetrate crimes and avoid detection,” Sanusi said.
According to him, police investigations uncovered not only those using the fake number plates but also the network responsible for producing and distributing them.
The suspects arrested in connection with the fake plates are currently in police custody and will be arraigned after investigations are concluded.
Sanusi disclosed that although the manufacturers operate outside the FCT, investigators have identified them and are tracking their whereabouts.
He further revealed that buyers paid between N500,000 and N1.7 million to obtain the fake diplomatic and government number plates.
“Some of these plates cost between N500,000 and N1.7 million. That tells you those purchasing them have criminal intentions far greater than the amount they spent,” he said.
The police commissioner urged residents to report vehicles bearing suspicious diplomatic registration numbers, noting that genuine diplomatic plates follow a recognised format.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing and called for greater public cooperation in tackling crime across the Federal Capital Territory.
