The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested three individuals impersonating police and Department of State Services (DSS) officers and nine others in connection with “one-chance” robberies across the FCT.

“One chance” is a term for robberies when unsuspecting victims accept rides from criminals in public or private vehicles.

The arrests were announced by FCT Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu during a media briefing in Abuja yesterday.

Disu revealed that three of the suspects belonged to a gang specialising in impersonating law enforcement officials, using this guise to lure unsuspecting victims, detain them in unknown locations, and demand ransom.

According to Disu, the arrests followed a complaint by Jeremiah David and Amaka Humina on October 12, who reported being intercepted by three men in a white Toyota Camry with registration number ABJ 221 BV while travelling from Keffi to Abuja.

The suspects, claiming to be DSS agents on official duty, reportedly forced the victims out of the vehicle, transported them to an unknown location, and coerced them into calling family members for ransom.

The suspects allegedly transferred N400,000 from the victims’ bank accounts and confiscated their phones, including an iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, Samsung S20, and Samsung S8 Plus.

Upon receiving the complaint, FCT Police launched an investigation, tracking and apprehending the suspects. Disu noted that police recovered six vehicles allegedly used in the gang’s operations, along with a locally made Beretta pistol.

Disu also reported a separate incident in the Kubwa area on October 30, when police responded to reports of a burning Golf III Saloon vehicle reportedly used by “one chance” operators.

The vehicle, with the gang’s leader inside, was set ablaze by an angry mob after they were apprehended near NYSC Junction. While three gang members fled into nearby bushes, police conducted a manhunt, arresting the fugitives later at their hideout in Malaysia IDP Camp, Apo Mechanic Village.

During questioning, the suspects reportedly admitted to being part of a “one chance” syndicate led by the burnt suspect. They also confessed to impersonating security personnel to deceive and rob their victims.

Disu said the syndicate had been operating along multiple routes within the FCT, particularly on the AYA-Zuba Expressway, for the past two years.

Among the items recovered from the suspects were several vehicles without registration numbers, including a gold Toyota Corolla, a blue Golf III, an ash-colored Corolla, and a white Toyota Avalon. Other seized items included a Nissan Patrol SUV, a Toyota Matrix, the locally made Beretta pistol, live ammunition, seven knives, and two ropes.

The suspects remain in police custody, with plans to charge them in court upon the completion of investigations.