The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory, Tunji Disu, has confirmed the arrest of three suspects involved in a ‘one-chance’ robbery by police operatives in Abuja.
According to him, the suspects—Joseph Odeh, Moses Elachi, and Mathias Agbogo—are members of a ‘one-chance’ gang posing as officers of the police and the Department of State Services.
Speaking while parading the suspects in Abuja on Wednesday, Disu explained that the gang typically picks up unsuspecting victims and takes them to unknown locations, demanding ransom for their release.
Disu said, “Luck ran out on them when, on October 12, 2024, following a complaint from Jeremiah David and Amaka Humina, both from Nasarawa State, at the Anti-One Chance office, they reported that, on the same date, at about noon, they were stopped by three men in a white Toyota Camry with registration number ABJ 221 BV, while on transit from Keffi to Abuja.
“The suspects forcefully ejected them from their vehicle, claiming to be officers from the Department of State Services conducting an investigation. They then proceeded to drive them to an unknown destination and demanded that they call their family members to raise money for their release.
“The suspects transferred N400,000 from the victims and also took an iPhone 14 Pro Max, an iPhone 15 Pro, a Samsung S20, and a Samsung S8 Plus from them. Upon receiving the complaint, police operatives from the FCT command tracked and arrested the suspects.”
Disu also reported that a mechanic at the popular Apo Mechanic Village in the FCT, identified as Abdulhamid Saidu, absconded with a customer’s 2006 ash-coloured Honda Accord.
He stated that the car owner, Philemon Olaoluwa, had contacted Saidu, who had been recommended by friends to fix his faulty car, adding that the vehicle’s documents were left in the car with the mechanic.
Disu explained that Saidu absconded with the vehicle, which was tracked to Jos, Plateau State, where it was found in the possession of one Joseph Abang, an alleged accomplice of Saidu.
He added that Abang confessed to having sold over 16 vehicles in the past four years.
The police commissioner further stated that 23 suspects were arrested for various crimes and 13 stolen items were recovered by operatives in October 2024.
