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.”
A 77-year-old Nigerian Uber driver, Olatunji W. Bolaji, was killed in a shooting outside a hookah lounge in Philadelphia, United States.
Bolaji, who lived in Norristown, Pennsylvania, was on duty around 2 a.m. on Wednesday when he picked up a passenger, a 22-year-old man, outside the Byblos Hookah Bar near Rittenhouse Square in Centre City, CBS reports on Friday.
Police said shortly after Bolaji picked up the young man, another vehicle pulled up behind his SUV, and two men got out.
One of them opened fire, shooting both Bolaji and the passenger.
Despite being shot in the head, Bolaji managed to drive a short distance before crashing into a pole at 17th and Chestnut Streets.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
His passenger, who sustained gunshot wounds to the arm, leg, and stomach, was rushed to Jefferson University Hospital in critical condition.
Police say the shooting was captured on surveillance cameras, and the attackers were in a black Jeep Grand Cherokee believed to have Massachusetts number plates.
Authorities are still trying to determine the motive behind the attack. Investigators believe there may have been a physical altercation between the passenger and the suspects before the shooting.
Ride-hailing platform Uber has expressed sadness over the incident.
“Our hearts break for the driver’s family and loved ones in the wake of this devastating loss.
“We’ve reached out to police to offer our support as they work to bring those responsible for this heinous act of violence to justice,” the company said in a statement.
Neighbours have expressed grief over the killing of Bolaji, describing his family as quiet and hardworking.
A long-time family friend who once lived with Bolaji told NBC10 that he was a kind man who was always ready to help others.
He described Bolaji as a dedicated worker, a loving partner, and a proud father whose son is a college graduate.
According to the friend, Bolaji’s family is devastated by his death and is seeking justice.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Bolaji’s family.
The funds will go toward funeral and memorial expenses, as well as living and counselling costs during their period of mourning.
The Zamfara State Police Command has rescued six kidnapped victims following a search-and-rescue operation.
In a statement, the spokesperson for the command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said the victims were rescued on Friday when a joint police and Community Protection Guard team on highway patrol along the Anka-Gummi Road noticed an abandoned ash-coloured Peugeot 206 by the roadside.
Abubakar said, suspecting a kidnapping incident, security operatives immediately launched a search operation, leading to the safe recovery of the six victims.
Those rescued, according to him, were Bakiru Muhammad Masama, Alyh DanTani Masama, Aminu Aliyu Bukkuyum, Ahmad Muhammad Masama, Umar Sa’idu Ruwan Jema and Shehu Mulluwa.
Parts of the statement read, “The rescued persons have since been reunited with their families.
“The state Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba, commended the operatives for their prompt response.
“He reassured the public of the command’s relentless effort in collaboration with sister security agencies to rescue all kidnapped victims and ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.
“CP Maikaba further urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest security agency for immediate action.”
Abubakar stressed that the state police command remained resolute in its mission to dismantle criminal networks and restore lasting peace in the state.
In what can be said to be a mystery, two suspected lovers were found dead in a room on Friday at Alo in Ankpa local government of Kogi State.
The duo suspected to be lovers were found dead stark naked on the man’s bed.
The deceased persons were identified as Sheriff Salifu and Blessing Adama both from Ankpa.
Confirming the incident, Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), William Ovye Aya who described the incident as sudden and unnatural, said the command was investigating the cause of the deaths.
SP Aya narrated that one Salisu Ibrahim from Alo in Ankpa came to the station at about 12 noon to report that his tenant, one Sheriff Salifu did not come out of his room as usual at about 09:31am.
“So, the brother of the deceased entered the room through the ceiling and met his brother and one Blessing Adama of Ojogobi Road Ankpa lying lifeless in the room. Both deceased were seen naked,” he said.
As a result, the PPRO stated that the Divisional Police Officer in Ankpa detailed detectives to the scene where they saw the bodies of the deceased persons, took photograph of them and the bodies to the zonal hospital in Ankpa where they were confirmed dead.
The state police spokesperson stated further that the bodies were also taken for postmortem examination to determine the cause of their death.
“But the family of the Sheriff requested that the body should be released to them. So, he has been buried according to Islamic rites, while the remains of Blessing Adama is still deposited at the mortuary,” Aya said.
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