Policemen have arrested a man from Niger Republic, Abdullahi Ali, who allegedly is a specialist in altering stolen mobile phones’ International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers.

During interrogation, Ali, 29, from Maradi, 3, Republic of Niger revealed that he used apps to alter the IMEI of mobile phones, adding that he learnt the skill from unidentified persons.

The IMEI is a unique set of in-built 15-digit numbers to identify GSM phones and can be utilized to track stolen phones and to subsequently lock them out of networks.

He was among 108 suspected drug traffickers, bandits, armed robbers, kidnappers and gunrunners arrested by the Intelligence Response Team and paraded by the force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, in Abuja on Wednesday, March 11th, 2020.

The 29-year-old Ali, who spoke in Hausa, explained that to alter the IMEI numbers of smartphones, he utilized his laptop.

I was taught how to change phone IMEI numbers by some people and I also repair and sell phones and chargers,

he explained through an interpreter.

The police kept the suspect from revealing more sensitive details of his activities, on the ground that investigation of the case was still ongoing.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.