Operatives of the Wuye Divisional Headquarters the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested a four-man suspected “one-chance” criminal syndicate in the wuye area of Abuja.
The police, after arresting the suspects, Monday James (male), Ubeh Peter (male), Precious Ofili (female), and Rita Nkemjika (female), rescued a victim and recovered N200,000 cash from them.
The suspects, who have been linked to masterminding and perpetrating a series of vehicular robberies (one chance) and its related fraudulently crimes (419), particularly in the Wuye axis and environs, have been on the Police watchlist.
Investigations revealed that on the said date around 11:30 am, an unsuspecting innocent resident, unfortunately, walked into their sneer.
The suspects having perfectly executed their criminal enterprise forcefully pushed the female victim out of a fast-moving car.
A statement on Thursday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh said: “The surveillance team of the Wuye division, who were on routine patrol, with the help of residents rushed to her aid, and gave the fleeing criminals a hot chase.
“The hot chase soon attracted the attention of mobs who spread the news of the arrest gathering in their numbers to unleash mayhem on the Suspects. The Police however, tactically effected the arrest of the suspects but the pressure from the irate crowd resulted in the burning of the operational vehicle of the suspects before the Police could move it down to the station.
“In the light of the above, preliminary investigation has commenced. The suspects have revealed to the Police their modus operandi and how they have been in the criminal venture for over five years.
“Furthermore, to ensure that members of the public are aware of the existence and activities of these criminal elements, it is important to expose their age-long modus operandi as follows; An unsuspecting passenger is first picked along the road. The passenger is then physically evaluated to see if valuables could be collected, otherwise, they harsh a plan B to play on the greed and innocence of the victim by saying a huge amount of money is in the boot and needs spiritual intervention for cleansing.
“The suspect is promised part of the money only if he or she can provide enough money to secure the services of a spiritualist. To believe this is falling victim to the miscreants”.