Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has uncovered a criminal network involved in the illegal production, sale, and use of fake diplomatic and official government number plates, recovering several unauthorised plates bearing inscriptions such as "Presidency," "Senator," and "House of Representatives." The plates were allegedly used by criminal elements to evade security checks, gain unauthorised access to restricted facilities, and perpetrate crimes across Abuja. Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, disclosed this on Friday, July 31, 2026, during a press briefing at the command headquarters, where he also paraded recovered stolen public infrastructure and warned scrap dealers and buyers of stolen government property that the police were widening their investigation to dismantle the entire criminal network.
Sanusi explained that shortly after assuming office, his attention was drawn to the proliferation and unauthorised use of diplomatic and official government licence plate numbers by unauthorised individuals. "I immediately ordered a comprehensive investigation into this disturbing trend, which revealed that these individuals use such plate numbers as a cover to perpetrate crimes within the Federal Capital Territory and evade detection and arrest," he said. Investigations exposed not only the users of the counterfeit plates but also the production and supply chain behind their circulation. Sanusi revealed that some buyers paid between N500,000 and N1.7 million to procure the fake plates, indicating a high level of criminal intent. "Some of these things are ranging between N500,000 to N1.7 million for them to procure. This will tell you that they are making such huge expenditure because they have an agenda to fulfil with it," he said.
The police commissioner disclosed that the manufacturers of the fake plates were operating outside the FCT but had already been identified by investigators. "We are on their trail. We've gotten their identities. That's why we are not displaying our suspects regarding this so that they will not know that we are coming after them," he added. Suspects arrested in connection with the illegal plates remain in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. Sanusi urged residents to report vehicles bearing suspicious diplomatic registration numbers, noting that authentic diplomatic plates follow an established format. "They use these fake numbers to beat security checkpoints. They use them to go into ministries and parastatals unstopped because everybody feels once you are a diplomat or have these plates, you are a big man. Help us identify them. Raise an alarm and we will arrest them," he said.
The recovery of fake number plates came alongside a separate intelligence-led operation that dismantled a vandalism syndicate responsible for the theft of public infrastructure across the FCT. Police recovered stolen drainage covers, solar-powered street lights, armoured high-voltage electricity cables, and internet communication cables worth millions of naira from locations including Maitama, Garki, Durumi, Jabi, Apo Legislative Quarters, Lugbe, and Nyanya. Five suspects—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 assets as economic sabotage with grave consequences for residents, noting that the removal of drainage covers has led to road accidents and injuries, the theft of solar lights has plunged areas into darkness and increased street crime, and the stealing of power cables has disrupted electricity supply to entire communities.
Sanusi issued a stern warning to scrap dealers and buyers of stolen public infrastructure, declaring that the FCT Police Command had widened its investigation to dismantle the entire criminal 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. We have commenced extensive investigations and will not relent until every link in the supply, distribution, and disposal chain of these stolen public assets is identified and brought to justice," he said. Recovered items would be formally handed over to the Federal Capital Territory Administration for reinstallation to prevent further accidents and restore damaged public facilities.
The FCT Police Command has intensified its crime prevention and detection efforts following the recent appointment of CP Sanusi, who has vowed to reduce crime and criminality to the barest minimum across the nation's capital. "We will not relent in our efforts until crime and criminality are reduced to the barest minimum in the FCT," he stated. The command has also activated joint patrols with the military and other security agencies to curb kidnapping, one-chance robberies, and other violent crimes, while clamping down on the use of unauthorised diplomatic plates and vehicles without proper registration.
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