Fake DSS, police officers in ‘one chance’ robbery racket arrested in Abuja

Operatives of the Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have arrested three individuals accused of impersonating police officers and personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) in connection with a series of “one-chance” robberies.

FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Olatunji Disu, revealed this during a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday. He explained that the three suspects, along with nine others, were apprehended for engaging in “one-chance” robberies across various parts of the FCT.

“These three suspects are part of a gang that specializes in impersonating police and DSS officers,” Disu stated. “They target unsuspecting victims, abduct them, and demand ransom for their release.”

The suspects were arrested on October 12, following a complaint lodged by two victims, Jeremiah David and Amaka Humina, at the Anti-One Chance Office. The complainants reported being stopped by three men in a white Toyota Camry (registration number ABJ 221 BV) while traveling from Keffi to Abuja. The perpetrators pretended to be DSS officers investigating the victims, forcefully removed them from the vehicle, and took them to an undisclosed location. They demanded the victims’ families pay a ransom for their release.

The suspects also transferred N400,000 from the victims’ bank accounts using their phones. Personal items, including an iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, Samsung S20, and Samsung S8 Plus, were seized from the victims.

Upon receiving the complaint, police operatives tracked down and arrested the suspects, recovering six vehicles believed to be used in their operations, as well as a locally made Beretta pistol.

On October 30, police responded to a report that a “one-chance” operator’s vehicle had been set on fire in Kubwa, with the suspected gang leader inside. Local residents claimed to have caught the group terrorizing the Kubwa area near the NYSC junction. Police quickly arrived on the scene and arrested the gang members who had been involved. Three others managed to escape into nearby bushes but were later apprehended at their hideout in the Malaysia IDP Camp, Apo Mechanic Village.

During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of a notorious “one-chance” syndicate and admitted to impersonating security personnel to defraud innocent citizens.