Police operatives in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have apprehended three individuals for allegedly impersonating forcemen, including police and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The individuals were also accused of involving in a ‘one chance’ robbery in the nation’s capital city.
Giving details of the force operations in Abuja recently, the FCT Police Commissioner, Olatunji Disu, disclosed that the three suspects, along with nine others, were recently detained for their involvement in ‘one chance’ incidents across various locations in the FCT.
According to him, the arrests occurred on October 12, following a report made by Jeremiah David and Amaka Humina at the Anti-One Chance Office.
The complainants stated that they were approached by three men in a white Toyota Camry with the registration number ABJ 221 BV while travelling from Keffi to Abuja.
Disu further noted that the suspects forcibly removed the complainants from their vehicle, falsely claiming to be DSS officers conducting an investigation.
They then transported the victims to an undisclosed location, where they demanded that the victims contact their family members to secure funds for their release.
The Commissioner reported that the suspects managed to transfer ₦400,000 from the victims’ accounts using their mobile phones. Additionally, they confiscated an iPhone 14 Pro Max, an iPhone 15 Pro, a Samsung S20, and a Samsung S8 Plus from the victims.
Following the complaint, police operatives from the FCT Command tracked down and arrested the suspects. Disu also mentioned that six vehicles believed to be used in their operations, along with a locally made Beretta pistol, were recovered from the suspects.
“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,” said Disu while commenting on the impersonators arrested.
The CP said the command, on October 30, received a report that a Golf III Saloon vehicle used by a suspected “one chance” operator was being burnt with their gang leader in the Kubwa area.
“Police operatives quickly deployed to the scene met a group of people who claimed that a gang of “one chance” operators, terrorizing Kubwa area were caught around NYSC junction.
“The vehicle was set ablaze with the suspected gang leaders while three others escaped the scene into the nearby bushes.
“Police operatives launched a manhunt and arrested the other gang members who had escaped the scene at their hideout in Malaysia IDP CAMP, APO mechanic village,” he said.
Disu reported that the individuals in question had openly admitted to their affiliation with a well-known “one chance” syndicate, which was headed by the individuals who had been burned during the interrogation process.
The Commissioner of Police stated that these individuals had also confessed to assuming the identities of personnel from various security agencies with the intention of deceiving the general public for financial gain.