Police in Abuja have arrested five suspects and recovered vandalised public infrastructure while uncovering a network producing fake diplomatic and official government vehicle number plates.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed the operational successes on Friday during a press briefing at command headquarters in Abuja.
Sanusi said intelligence-led patrols across Maitama, Garki, Durumi, Jabi, Apo Legislative Quarters, Lugbe, and Nyanya led to the recovery of stolen drainage covers, solar street lights, high-voltage armoured cables, and telecommunication lines.
Five suspects—identified as Godwin Aja, Mustapha Nasiru, Ibrahim Garba, Abdulrasheed Sale, and Dabarani Mujitafa—were taken into custody.
“The removal of drainage covers, solar street lights, and armoured cables… has directly contributed to road traffic accidents, injuries to pedestrians, and increased street crime in areas plunged into darkness,” Sanusi said, warning scrap metal dealers that investigators are targeting buyers and receivers of stolen public property.
Fake diplomatic plate network exposed
The command also exposed a criminal syndicate distributing forged diplomatic and official government number plates used by individuals to beat security checkpoints and enter restricted government facilities.
Sanusi revealed that buyers paid between ₦500,000 and ₦1.7 million to acquire the forged plates.
While the users of the fake registration numbers are in custody, police said they have identified the manufacturers operating outside the FCT and are currently tracking them.
The recovered infrastructure will be returned to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for reinstallation, while the suspects will face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.
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