The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has recovered vandalised public infrastructure and uncovered a network allegedly involved in the production and use of fake diplomatic and official government number plates.
The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Abuja.
Sanusi said the recovered items included drainage covers, solar-powered street lights, armoured electricity cables and internet communication cables allegedly stolen from different parts of the FCT.
He said the recoveries were made through intelligence-led operations and proactive anti-crime patrols conducted in areas including Maitama, Garki, Durumi, Jabi, Apo Legislative Quarters, Lugbe and Nyanya.
The police commissioner identified five suspects arrested in connection with the recovered items as Godwin Aja, Mustapha Nasiru, Ibrahim Garba, Abdulrasheed Sale and Dabarani Mujitafa.
Sanusi described the vandalism of public infrastructure as economic sabotage, warning that such activities have serious consequences for residents.
He said the theft of drainage covers had contributed to road accidents and pedestrian injuries, while the removal of street lights had increased criminal activities in areas plunged into darkness. He added that the theft of high-voltage electricity cables and communication cables had also disrupted essential services.
The commissioner warned scrap dealers and other individuals who buy stolen public infrastructure that the police would pursue every link in the criminal supply chain.
“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,” Sanusi said.
He added that investigations had been expanded to identify those involved in the supply, distribution and disposal of the stolen assets.
Sanusi further disclosed that the recovered infrastructure would be handed over to the Federal Capital Territory Administration for reinstallation and to help prevent further accidents and restore damaged facilities.
On the fake number plates, the commissioner said the command had recovered several diplomatic and official government registration plates allegedly used by criminals to evade security checks and gain unauthorised access to restricted locations.
He said he ordered an investigation into the proliferation and unauthorised use of such number plates shortly after assuming office.
According to him, the investigation revealed that some individuals were using fake diplomatic and government plates as cover to commit crimes and evade arrest.
Sanusi said the investigation had uncovered not only those using the fake plates but also the network responsible for their production and distribution.
He disclosed that suspects arrested in connection with the fake plates were in police custody and would be charged to court after investigations were concluded.
The commissioner said the manufacturers were believed to be operating outside the FCT but had been identified by investigators, who were already tracking them.
Sanusi also revealed that some buyers allegedly paid between N500,000 and N1.7 million to obtain the fake diplomatic and government number plates.
He urged residents and journalists to report vehicles displaying suspicious diplomatic registration numbers, stressing that genuine diplomatic plates follow established formats.
The commissioner said criminals used the fake plates to pass through security checkpoints and gain unrestricted access to government ministries and agencies.
He called for increased public cooperation in identifying and reporting suspicious vehicles and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to reducing crime across the FCT through intelligence-led policing and collaboration with residents.
