Police arrest cable counterfeiters

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested suspects for allegedly counterfeiting electrical cables during coordinated raids in Lagos and Ogun states.

According to a statement, a special task force acting on the directive of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, raided locations including 29 Idolowo Market, 4 Sagbemi Street on Lagos Island, Akute in Ogun State, Alaba, Oshodi, and other parts of Lagos in a clampdown on the sale of substandard cables.

The raids, led by ASP Akin Akinwoola, followed complaints of rampant adulteration in the electrical cable market. The suspects were arraigned before the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court over the weekend.

Police reported that three suspects arrested on Lagos Island failed to meet bail conditions and were remanded in prison custody. Nine others, who had earlier been granted bail, returned from home to continue their trial.

The court adjourned the case to May 12 and May 23, 2025, for further hearing.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Coleman Wires and Cables Industries Limited, George Onafowokan, lauded the efforts of the police and AIG Fayoade, describing the operation as a critical step towards saving Nigeria’s cables and wires industry from collapse.

“Many of the arrested individuals, identified as young Nigerians from a specific region, were reportedly using the Coleman brand to market substandard products, posing significant risks to consumers and harming the company’s reputation,” Onafowokan said.

He urged the Standards Organisation of Nigeria to step up enforcement against counterfeiters and called on Nigerians to report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.

The Coleman Wires and Cables MD also commended the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for his support in the ongoing fight against cable adulteration.

The police added that investigations are ongoing, and affected markets remain under surveillance.