FCT police arrest ‘one-chance’ syndicate, rescue victim
Operatives of Wuye Division of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested a four-man syndicate suspected to be involved in ‘one-chance’ in the area, recovering money and telephone handsets from them.
The Command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, in a statement, yesterday, said the team also rescued a victim and N200,000 cash from the suspects.
The suspects are: Monday James, Ubeh Peter, Precious Ofili, and Rita Nkemjika.
She said: “The suspects, who have been linked to masterminding and perpetrating series of vehicular robberies (one chance) and other related crimes, particularly, in the Wuye axis and its environs, have been on the Police watch list for some time now.
“Investigations revealed that on that day, at about 11:30a.m., an unsuspecting innocent resident unfortunately walked into their trap. The suspects, having perfectly executed their criminal enterprise, forcefully pushed the female victim out of a fast-moving car and sped-off.
“The surveillance team of Wuye division, who were on routine patrol, with the help of residents, rushed to her aid, and gave the fleeing criminals a hot chase.
“This attracted the attention of mobs, who spread the news of the arrest, gathered in their numbers to unleash mayhem on the suspects.
“ However, the police tactically effected the arrest of the suspects, but the pressure from the irate crowd resulted in the burning of the operational vehicle of the suspects before the police could move it down to the station.
“In the light of the above, a preliminary investigation has commenced. The suspects have revealed to the police their modus operandi and how they have been in the criminal venture for over five years.
“Furthermore, to ensure that members of the public are aware of the existence and activities of these criminal elements, it is important to expose their age-long modus operandi as follows; “An unsuspecting passenger is first picked along the road. The passenger is then physically evaluated to see if valuables could be collected, otherwise, they harsh a plan B to play on the greed and innocence of the victim, by saying a huge amount of money is in the boot and needs spiritual intervention for cleansing.
“The suspect is promised part of the money only if he or she can provide enough money to secure the services of a spiritualist. To believe this is falling victim to the miscreants.”
MEANWHILE, the Commissioner of Police FCT Command, (CP) Babaji Sunday, has reiterated the need for road users to board vehicles only at approved motor parks.
He noted that the anti-one-chance-unit of the Command and other similar units have been beefed up to ensure that the menace and sundry crimes are nipped in the bud.
The CP also stressed the need for members of the public to shun the practice of self-help in obtaining justice known as jungle justice.
He assured that the suspects would be made to face the full wrath of the law on conclusion of investigation.
The CP further urged the public to be vigilant and make a prompt rendition of complaints through the following emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883, while the Public Complaint Bureau (PCB) desk, could be reached on: 0902 222 2352.
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