FCT Police Arrest 12 ‘One Chance’ Robbery Suspects, Including Police and DSS Impersonators
Operatives of the Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have apprehended twelve individuals, including three who allegedly impersonated police and Department of State Services (DSS) officers, as part of an ongoing investigation into “one chance” robbery schemes.
This was disclosed by the FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Olatunji Disu, during a media briefing in Abuja on yesterday.
“It will interest you to know that three of the suspects belong to a gang of “one chance” operators who specialize in masquerading as police and DSS officers. They pick up unsuspecting victims and take them to unknown locations demanding ransom for their release,” he said
According to the FCT Commissioner, the arrests stemmed from a complaint filed by two victims, Jeremiah David and Amaka Humina on October 12, who reported being stopped by armed men posing as DSS officers in a white Toyota Camry.
“The suspects forcefully removed the victims from their vehicle and demanded ransom for their release, during which they also accessed the victims’ bank accounts, transferring N400,000 and stealing several mobile devices, including high-end iPhones and Samsung phones.
“Following the report, police operatives swiftly tracked down the suspects, recovering six vehicles believed to be used in the commission of their crimes and a locally made Beretta pistol.
“On October 30, police responded to reports of a burning vehicle in the Kubwa area, allegedly connected to the suspects. Witnesses claimed that members of the gang were caught, leading to a confrontation where the vehicle was set ablaze with some suspects inside, while others fled into nearby bushes.
“In the aftermath, a manhunt was launched, resulting in the arrest of additional gang members at a hideout in the Malaysia IDP Camp, APO Mechanic Village. The suspects have confessed to being part of a notorious syndicate involved in “one chance” robberies and to using impersonation of various security personnel to defraud citizens.”
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Jerome Kalu
Jerome Kalu is currently the Senior Correspondent of PIJAlance in Lagos. He was previously the Campus Information Desk (CID) Editor.