- The arrests followed a complaint from two victims
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested three individuals impersonating officers from the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) in connection with a ‘one chance’ robbery operation in Abuja.
FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Olatunji Disu, revealed the arrests during a media briefing, stating that the three suspects were among 12 apprehended recently for their involvement in similar crimes across the capital.
“These suspects belong to a gang that specialises in posing as police and DSS officers. They pick up unsuspecting victims, take them to undisclosed locations, and demand ransom for their release,” Mr. Disu said.
The arrests followed a complaint from two victims, Jeremiah David and Amaka Humina, who reported the incident to the Anti-One Chance Office. The victims were stopped while travelling from Keffi to Abuja by men in a white Toyota Camry with the registration number ABJ 221 BV. The suspects, posing as DSS officers, forced them from the vehicle and demanded they contact their families to arrange a ransom.
Mr. Disu stated that the suspects transferred N400,000 from the victims’ accounts and stole four phones, including an iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, Samsung S20, and a Samsung S8 Plus.
In addition to recovering six vehicles, believed to be used in their operations, the police also found a locally made Beretta pistol.
In a separate incident, police responded to reports of a burning Golf III Saloon vehicle in Kubwa, where locals had caught members of another ‘one chance’ gang. The vehicle, along with the gang leader, was set ablaze, while three other suspects fled into nearby bushes. They were later arrested at their hideout in Malaysia IDP Camp, Apo Mechanic Village.
The suspects confessed to being part of the notorious ‘one chance’ syndicate and admitted to impersonating security personnel to defraud unsuspecting citizens.
The police continue their investigation into these operations as they intensify efforts to crack down on criminal gangs terrorising residents in Abuja.
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