The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has dismantled a criminal syndicate involved in producing and selling fake diplomatic and government number plates used by individuals to evade security checkpoints and gain unauthorized access to restricted areas across Abuja.

Commissioner of Police Ahmed Sanusi told a press briefing that investigations, which began shortly after he assumed office following reports of unauthorized use of diplomatic plates, revealed that buyers paid between 500,000 and 1.7 million naira for the fake plates, suggesting they had specific criminal intentions justifying such expense. He said several suspects found using the plates are already in custody and will be charged once investigations conclude, while the manufacturers, operating outside the territory, have been identified and are being tracked, with the command withholding details to avoid tipping them off.

Sanusi urged residents and journalists to report vehicles bearing suspicious diplomatic plates, noting that genuine plates follow recognizable formats. He also disclosed that the command had recovered vandalised public infrastructure, including drainage covers, solar street lights and stolen high voltage cables from several parts of the city, describing the theft as economic sabotage that has contributed to traffic accidents and disrupted power supply to entire communities. Five suspects were arrested in connection with the infrastructure theft, and Sanusi warned scrap dealers and buyers of stolen public assets that the command’s investigation into the full supply chain would continue.