UPDATE: POLICE ARREST FAKE DSS, OTHER OFFICERS, BUST ONE-CHANCE GANG TERRORIZING ABUJA COMMUTERS

Read Time:2 Minute, 29 Second

In a continued effort to rid the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of criminal elements, the Abuja Police have arrested 12 notorious one-chance robbers known for terrorizing commuters, inflicting injuries, and robbing victims of valuables.

FCT Police Commissioner, CP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, described the arrest as a significant breakthrough, following numerous complaints about one-chance gang attacks on passengers. The suspects, identified as Joseph John Odeh, Moses Elachi, Mathias Agbogo, Ali Bukar Gana, Muhammed Inusa, Muhammed Adamu, Abbas Rabiu, Suleiman Lawal, Aminu Auwal, Ibrahim Shehu, Abbah Mohammed, and Abdulkarim Mohammed, were implicated in various incidents.

CP Disu explained that the first three suspects belonged to a gang that impersonated Police and DSS officers, targeting victims by picking them up in vehicles and driving them to unknown locations to demand ransom.

“On October 12, 2024, following a complaint by Jeremiah David and Amaka Humina, both from Nasarawa State, they reported being forced into a white Toyota Camry (ABJ 221 BV) while traveling from Keffi to Abuja. The suspects, posing as DSS officers, drove them to an undisclosed location, demanding they call family members to raise money for their release,” he said.

The gang reportedly stole ₦400,000 and high-end phones from the victims. Police operatives tracked and arrested the suspects soon after.

In another incident on October 30, 2024, a gang’s Golf III vehicle was set ablaze after the group was apprehended at NYSC Junction, Kubwa. While some members escaped into nearby bushes, police arrested additional gang members, Ali Bukar Gana, Muhammed Inusa, and Muhammed Adamu, at their hideout in Malaysia IDP Camp, Apo Mechanic Village, on October 31. They confessed to being members of a notorious one-chance syndicate, active on the AYA-Zuba expressway for over a year.

Recovered items included several vehicles, knives, ropes, a Beretta pistol, and live ammunition, used to threaten or harm victims. The suspects, now in custody, will face court proceedings after further investigations.

In a separate case on October 10, 2024, police used digital tracking technology to recover a Honda Accord stolen by a mechanic, Abdulhamid Saidu, under the guise of repairing it. The vehicle was traced to Rayfield, Jos, where notorious car thief Joseph Abang was arrested with additional stolen vehicles. Abang confessed to rebranding and selling over 16 stolen cars in the last four years.

In another operation on October 21, 2024, following a distress call, police responded to an armed robbery at Femi Gbajabiamila Crescent, Jahi. During a gunfight, two suspects were neutralized while others fled, leaving four abandoned vehicles. Subsequent follow-up operations led to the arrest of additional gang members, who confessed to being part of a 10-man armed robbery group targeting areas in Mabushi, Jahi, and Gishiri. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the gang’s leader, Dan Auwalu, and remaining members.

CP Disu commended the bravery of the police operatives, emphasizing the FCT Command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of residents.