Metro
Police Nab ‘One-Chance’ Robbers In Abuja, Recover Operational Vehicles From Suspects
The Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command says it has arrested three suspects linked to criminal activities in the densely populated areas of Abuja.
The suspects who included Abba Godwin, Abraham Anthony and Moses Obi were said to be members of the syndicate led by one Friday Ogwuche, who is now at large.
This was made known by the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Olatunji Disu, during a press briefing on Thursday.
He asserted that they operated from the Mararaba area of Nasarawa State and extended their activities to the densely populated areas.
Disu said; “As part of commitment to rid the FCT of the dare-devil “one-chance” syndicates, operatives apprehended three key suspects linked to a network reportedly led by one Friday Ogwuche, who is now at large.
“Operating from the Mararaba area of Nasarawa State, the syndicate extended its activities to densely populated areas of the FCT. These arrests represent a significant stride in the Command’s fight against organised crime, with ongoing investigations to apprehend accomplices and bring the fugitive leader to justice.
“The suspects include: Abba Godwin (42, from Benue State): A member of the syndicate for three months, Abba played the role of a fake passenger to lure unsuspecting victims. The group operating line is Maraba axis, AYA junction, Kubwa express and etc. He admitted to earning between N20,000 and N40,000 daily from their operations.
“Abraham Anthony (27, from Kaduna State): Abraham, who joined the gang in August 2024, confessed to targeting commuters during early morning rush hours at locations like Nyanya Market and Area 1. His earnings averaged N40,000 per operation.
“Moses Obi (from Cross River State): A seasoned member since June 2024, Moses identified potential victims at crowded bus stops and marketplaces. He also provided information on their primary driver, nicknamed “Dangote,” recruited by the gang leader.
”Upon their arrest, their operational vehicles; One (1) Green colored golf three car with Reg. No. TRN 647 AA, and one ash coloured Peugeot 406 car with Reg. No. ABJ 145 LQ, were recovered from them.
“Similarly, a targeted operation led to the arrest of three suspects believed to be active members of another notorious “one-chance” syndicate: Moses Steven (23, from Benue State): Residing in the North Bank area, Moses admitted to joining the syndicate in December 2023. He revealed that he traveled to Abuja during festive periods to collaborate with other members organized by a ringleader, “Baba Peter,” based in Jos, Plateau State.
“Jude Simon: Simon confessed to being involved in robbery operations for over a year, primarily targeting commuters entering the FCT in the early morning hours.
“Terfa Akaaer (from Benue State): A taxi driver residing near Mararaba Park, Terfa admitted to collaborating with the gang when recruited by “Baba Peter.” He disclosed their strategy of filling vehicles with accomplices while leaving one seat vacant to lure unsuspecting victims.
“Upon their arrest, their operational vehicles; One (1) Green colored golf three car with Reg. No. TRN 647 AA, and one ash colored Peugeot 406 car with Reg. No. ABJ 145 LQ, were recovered from them.
“In another significant breakthrough, police arrested Hyacinth Avetse, a prominent member of a high-profile “one-chance” syndicate, at the Area 1 Roundabout.
“Hyacinth admitted to joining the syndicate in February 2023 and revealed that he had earned over N1.4 million from their operations.
“His arrest provided critical leads that have advanced investigations into other syndicate members.
“He was apprehended with two of their operational vehicles; one (1) green colored Lexus saloon vehicle with no registration number in front, and one blue colored Toyota corolla with Reg. No. GWA 295 JS. Three (3) POS machines, five (5) laptops, three (3) phones, one hundred and nine (109) memory cards, two hundred and three (203) dollars, several bags with cloths were also recovered from him.”
Troops of 22 Brigade under Operation Savannah Shield have repelled suspected terrorists, arrested two suspects, and recovered motorcycles during an offensive operation in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 11:09 a.m. on April 14 by troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Babanna, in collaboration with Combat Support Infantry Battalion XVI and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
According to the sources, the troops carried out coordinated clearance operations across Dekara, Dongoru, Bakimba, Jigga, Gidan Kambarawa and Masaka villages.
During the operation, troops made contact with the terrorists along the Masaka–Dekara road, forcing them to flee and abandon their motorcycles.
The sources added that the troops subsequently encountered an ambush but successfully fought through the attack, recovering additional motorcycles.
“In total, nine motorcycles were recovered during the operation, while two suspects were apprehended,” the sources said.
They noted that two tyres of a Combat Support Vehicle (CSK APC) were damaged during the encounter.
The suspects and recovered items are currently in military custody for further investigation, while operations are ongoing to track fleeing members of the group.
Troops conducting ongoing clearance operations under Operation Wutan Daji have rescued 12 kidnapped victims and arrested key associates of a fleeing bandit leader during coordinated offensives across forested areas linking Plateau and Taraba States.
A military source said the operations, carried out on April 15 and 16, involved troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade in conjunction with an Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) tactical team.
According to the source, the operations were conducted in the Dajin Madam and Kumbodoro forest axis, spanning parts of Plateau and Taraba States.
The source said the sustained offensive led to the recovery of 12 kidnapped victims who escaped from their captors during the pressure mounted by troops.
The victims were subsequently taken into custody for profiling before being moved to an Internally Displaced Persons facility in Fukuk.
Troops also recovered a Dane gun, a fabricated AK-47 rifle and a power bank during the operation.
The Bauchi State Government has dismissed a driver, Aminu Abdullahi, over a fatal road crash that claimed the lives of two journalists and left 11 others injured.
The crash involving a vehicle conveying 13 journalists occurred on February 6, 2026.
A cameraman with Channels Television, Kani Ben, d!ed from spinal cord injuries he sustained in the crash.
The dismissal was carried out by the Bauchi State Civil Service Commission (CSC) during its recent sitting.
The Commission disclosed that Abdullahi, a clerical assistant in the state civil service, was sacked for misconduct.
The CSC explained that the disciplinary action formed part of decisions taken during its 13th plenary session held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at its conference hall.
It added that Abdullahi’s termination was due to negligence while carrying out an assigned duty of driving.
According to the Commission, the misconduct contravened Rules 0312 and 0327 of the Bauchi State Public Service Regulations.
The CSC further stated that Abdullahi, a Grade Level 03 clerical assistant with the State Ministry of Higher Education, had been assigned “any other duty” and directed to drive a team of journalists covering activities of the North East Development Commission during the commissioning of projects in Alkaleri Local Government Area.“
“Aminu, who was accused of reckless driving, caused an accident involving more than 10 journalists. As a result, two persons lost their lives, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries,” the statement said.
The Commission noted that the action followed recommendations from the Ministry of Higher Education and resolutions of the State Executive Council on the disciplinary case.
Meanwhile, the CSC queried the management of the Ministry of Higher Education to explain why a clerical assistant was assigned the duties of a driver.
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