The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has apprehended three individuals posing as police and Department of State Services (DSS) officers, involved in a “one chance” robbery scheme.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu, revealed the arrests during a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, stating that the three suspects were part of a larger gang operating across the city.
“These suspects specialize in pretending to be police and DSS officers, picking up unsuspecting victims and taking them to unknown locations, where they demand ransom for their release,” Disu explained.
The suspects were arrested on October 12 following a complaint filed by two victims, Jeremiah David and Amaka Humina, at the Anti-One Chance Office. The victims reported being stopped by the suspects in a white Toyota Camry (with registration number ABJ 221 BV) while traveling from Keffi to Abuja.
The impersonators allegedly forced the victims out of the vehicle, claiming to be DSS officers conducting an investigation. They then drove the victims to an undisclosed location and demanded money from their families in exchange for their release.
The suspects also used the victims’ phones to transfer N400,000 from their accounts and stole their mobile devices, including an iPhone 14 Pro Max, an iPhone 15 Pro, a Samsung S20, and a Samsung S8 Plus.
Following the complaint, the FCT Police tracked down and arrested the suspects. Six vehicles believed to be used in their operations, as well as a locally made Beretta pistol, were recovered during the arrest.
Disu also mentioned a separate incident reported on October 30, where a vehicle used by suspected “one chance” operators was found burning in the Kubwa area, with the gang leader reportedly inside.
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