FCT Police recover fake diplomatic, presidency number plates used by criminals

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has uncovered and recovered several unauthorized diplomatic and official government number plates allegedly used by criminal elements to conceal their identities, evade arrest and carry out illegal activities across Abuja.

The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Command Headquarters in Abuja on Friday, describing the discovery as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating within the nation’s capital.

Sanusi said the investigation was launched shortly after he assumed office as the FCT Commissioner of Police, following intelligence indicating the widespread proliferation and misuse of diplomatic and official government number plates.

According to him, the investigation revealed that criminal suspects were using the unauthorized plates to disguise their identities, commit offences across the Federal Capital Territory and avoid detection by security agencies.

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The police further uncovered the network responsible for producing and distributing the fake diplomatic and government number plates.

“Displayed before you are some of the diplomatic and official government number plates recovered from different parts of the FCT,” the Commissioner of Police said during the briefing.

Sanusi disclosed that several suspects linked to the illegal production and use of the number plates have been arrested and remain in police custody.

He said they would be charged to court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.

The police also displayed several vehicles bearing the unauthorized number plates to journalists during the media briefing.

According to the Commissioner, some of the recovered plates carried inscriptions suggesting affiliation with high-profile government offices, including the Presidency, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

He assured residents that the Command remains committed to combating crime and safeguarding lives and property throughout the Federal Capital Territory.

“We will not relent in our efforts until crime and criminality are reduced to the barest minimum in the FCT,” Sanusi said.

The latest operation forms part of the FCT Police Command’s intensified crackdown on criminal activities and the misuse of official government identities by individuals seeking to evade law enforcement.