The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has dismantled a notorious “one-chance” robbery syndicate, rescuing a victim and arresting five suspects in a coordinated operation.
The gang, known for attacking passengers and stealing their belongings, was intercepted after a dramatic incident on August 6, 2025.
According to the FCT Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the operation began when patrol officers spotted a woman being pushed out of a moving vehicle along the Kubwa Expressway. The victim, identified as Angel Patrick, was rescued and taken to Zankwochi Hospital in Mabushi for urgent medical attention. Police operatives pursued the suspects into the Aso area of Mararaba, Nasarawa State, where a gun battle ensued.
One gang member was shot and later confirmed dead at Asokoro General Hospital. Five men from Mpape — Jude Simon, Emmanuel Akor, Daniel Benson, Uche Thomas, and Tope Ola — were arrested. Police revealed that Simon had previously been arrested in December 2024 for a similar crime and was awaiting trial at Kuje Correctional Centre.
Items recovered from the suspects included the Toyota Corolla used for the operation, six ATM cards belonging to different victims, a jackknife, ₦115,000 in cash, and other personal belongings believed to be stolen. The suspects confessed to being long-time members of the “one-chance” gang.
The Police Commissioner commended the officers involved and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to eradicating such criminal networks.
“One-chance” refers to a violent robbery method in which criminals pose as taxi drivers and passengers to lure victims, then threaten them with weapons and forcefully take their valuables, sometimes using mobile PoS machines to empty bank accounts. Victims are often assaulted and thrown out of moving vehicles, with some incidents resulting in fatalities.
In a related case, a woman named Freda Arnong was killed in Abuja after being blindfolded and attacked by such a gang before being abandoned. Her sister, Arnong Titus Ememobong, has urged authorities to introduce a driver and vehicle authentication system to curb the menace.
