The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command says it recovers fake diplomatic and other official government number plates used by criminals to evade checks and access restricted areas in Abuja. Commissioner of Police Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi announces the development in a press briefing at the police command headquarters on Friday. Police report that intelligence-led operations across several areas in Abuja, including Maitama, Garki, Durumi, Jabi, Apo Legislative Quarters, Lugbe and Nyanya, lead to the arrest of five suspects. Sources also say the police recover multiple stolen or vandalised public infrastructure items during the operation, including drainage covers, solar-powered street lights, armoured electricity cables and internet cables. The commissioner links the vandalism to harm to road safety, electricity supply and public security, and warns scrap dealers and buyers to stop handling stolen infrastructure. Investigations, police say, indicate that the fake plates are manufactured outside the FCT and that buyers pay substantial amounts ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦1.7 million to obtain them. Police say suspects are in custody and that investigations are expanding to dismantle the broader supply chain.
Police recover fake diplomatic and official number plates in Abuja, arrest suspects
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command says it recovers fake diplomatic and other official government number plates used by criminals to evade checks and access restricted areas in Abuja....
- FCT Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, announces the recovery of fake diplomatic and official number plates in Abuja.
- Police arrest five suspects in intelligence-led operations across multiple Abuja areas, including Maitama, Garki, Durumi, Jabi, Apo Legislative Quarters, Lugbe and Nyanya.
- Police say the plates are allegedly used to evade checkpoints and gain access to restricted areas.
- During the operation, police recover vandalised/stolen public infrastructure including drainage covers, solar-powered street lights, armoured electricity cables and internet cables.
- Investigations indicate plates are manufactured outside the FCT, with reported buyer payments between ₦500,000 and ₦1.7 million.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has uncovered a criminal network producing and distributing fake diplomatic and official government number plates, while also recovering stolen public infrastructure across Abuja.Commissioner of Police Ahmed Sanusi announced the breakthrough on Friday during a press briefing at the command headquarters. He said intelligence-led operations across Maitama, Garki, Durumi, Jabi, Apo Legislative Quarters, Lugbe and Nyanya led to the arrest of five suspects and the recovery of vandalised items including drainage covers, solar-powered street lights, armoured electricity cables and internet cables.Sanusi described the vandalism as “economic sabotage,” noting its impact on road safety, electricity supply and public security. He warned scrap dealers and buyers of stolen infrastructure that investigations are expanding to dismantle the entire supply chain.The commissioner also revealed that several fake diplomatic and government plates had been seized, allegedly used by criminals to evade checkpoints and gain access to restricted areas. Investigations traced the plates to manufacturers outside the FCT, with buyers reportedly paying between ₦500,000 and ₦1.7 million to obtain them.“These individuals use such plate numbers as a cover to perpetrate crimes within the Federal Capital Territory and evade detection and arrest,” Sanusi said, adding that suspects are in custody and will face prosecution.He urged residents to report suspicious vehicles bearing diplomatic plates, stressing that genuine plates follow a recognised format. The recovered infrastructure will be handed over to the FCT Administration for reinstallation.Sanusi reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing and public collaboration to reduce crime across the territory.
5 hours agoOperatives of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command have recovered several unauthorized diplomatic and official government number plates allegedly being used by criminal elements across Abuja. FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the command headquarters in Abuja on Friday. According to Sanusi, shortly after assuming office as the […] Police recover fake official number plates bearing ‘Presidency’, ‘Senator’, others in Abuja
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