The police command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said it has arrested 43 suspects over “one chance” robbery, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other criminal offences.

The Commissioner of Police (CP) in the FCT, Haruna Garba, on Tuesday, said 11 of the suspects were arrested over “one chance” robbery, seven for alleged kidnapping and others for various criminal offences.

Mr Garba said three stolen vehicles, five firearms, 30 ammunition and other dangerous weapons were recovered from the suspects.

He said operatives from the Tradmore Division of the Command, on October 24, arrested a suspect following a report by one Faith James.

The CP said Ms James had reported that she boarded a green Peugeot vehicle with Reg. No. CK 202 GWA from ACO estate junction heading to Trademore and was robbed of her belongings, including N110,000 cash.

He said the victim was robbed by the commercial vehicle driver and her colleagues, who pretended to be genuine passengers.

“On receipt of the report, Police Operatives from the division swung into action, trailed and arrested a suspect with the same vehicle in the process of committing the same act on another innocent passenger.

“The suspect has confessed to his involvement in the crime and is assisting the Police to apprehend his other gang members at large,” Mr Garba said.

The CP also said operatives from Asokoro Division, on October 30, while on routine patrol along DSS Quarters, observed a Vento Volkswagen car with Reg No. APP 307 GS moving suspiciously.

He said the operatives intercepted the driver of the vehicle opposite Niger barracks and arrested the three males and two females in the car.

The CP said the suspects had, during the investigation, confessed to being a “one chance” syndicate that specialises in identifying and picking up their victims, taking them to an isolated area, robbing them of their valuables, and dropping them off at isolated locations.

According to him, while searching the vehicle, police operatives discovered four bundles of wrapped paper cut to money size, four car keys and other valuables.

He added that operatives from Asokoro, with the assistance of the Nigerian Army Intelligence Unit, arrested five other “one chance” robbery suspects on November 11.

The CP said the arrest followed a report from one Bright Ezekiel that he and his friend, one Rose Augustine, boarded a vehicle from Mogadishu Cantonment to Kubwa but were taken to an unknown destination.

He said the victims were robbed of N482,000 and N387,500, respectively, through transfers from their bank accounts by the suspects.

“On receipt of the report, operatives from Asokoro Division swung into action and with the help of the Nigeria Army Intelligence Unit, five suspects were arrested.

“Their operational vehicle, the Volkswagen taxi with Reg. No. AA 958 RYM was recovered,” he said.

The CP said the suspects had confessed to the crime and would be arraigned in court upon completion of the investigation.

(NAN)