Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have apprehended three individuals for allegedly impersonating law enforcement officials, including police and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The suspects were also accused of involvement in a ‘one chance’ robbery in the nation’s capital city.
According to FCT Police Commissioner Olatunji Disu, 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 while traveling from Keffi to Abuja.
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 several electronic devices, including iPhones and Samsung phones, 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.
The Commissioner stated 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.
The CP said the command 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 and arrested the other gang members who had escaped the scene at their hideout in Malaysia IDP CAMP, APO mechanic village.
The Commissioner 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. They had also confessed to assuming the identities of personnel from various security agencies with the intention of deceiving the general public for financial gain.
