Police arrest four in Abuja over one-chance robbery, rescue two

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested four suspects involved in a one-chance robbery and attempted kidnapping, rescuing two victims in the process.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the suspects were apprehended following a distress call and swift police response.

According to her, the incident occurred on October 8, 2025, at about 10:09 p.m., when one Hajara Ali reported at Life Camp Police Station that her sister, Comfort Habila, had called in distress, saying she had been abducted by suspected criminals who demanded ₦1,000,000 for her release.

Following the report, operatives from the Life Camp Division, using digital and tactical intelligence, tracked and arrested the suspects at Dape Village around 4:30 am on October 9 after a confrontation.

The victims, identified as Comfort Habila and Aliyu Adams, were rescued.

Adams, who sustained multiple stab wounds during the encounter, was taken to Gwarinpa General Hospital for treatment.

The statement partly read, “On October 8, 2025, at about 10:09 pm, one Hajara Ali reported at Life Camp Police Station that her sister, Comfort Habila, had called in distress, alleging that she had been abducted by suspected criminals who demanded a ransom of ₦1,000,000 for her release.

Upon receipt of the report, police operatives from Life Camp Division immediately swung into action. Through the deployment of digital and tactical intelligence, on 9th October 2025, at about 4:30 a.m., the suspects were arrested at Dape Village after a near-deadly confrontation with the police.

“The victims, Comfort Habila (f) and Aliyu Adams (m), were rescued. However, Aliyu Adams, who sustained multiple stab wounds inflicted by the suspects, was promptly rushed to Gwarinpa General Hospital, where he is currently receiving medical treatment.

“The arrested suspects are Solomon Tanko, Samuel Audu, Chigozie Joseph, and Emmanuel Chidiebere.”

Adeh said an investigation revealed that the suspects had been involved in a series of one-chance robberies around the Bannex and Kado areas of Abuja.

According to her, the suspects used a vehicle with tinted windows to deceive and rob unsuspecting passengers.

“Further investigation revealed that the suspects have been involved in a series of one-chance robberies around the Bannex and Kado areas, using a vehicle with tinted windows to deceive unsuspecting passengers. They revealed that they had picked and robbed six victims, both men and women, before their arrest.”

Adeh said items recovered from the suspects include 15 international passports, two daggers, two cutlasses, bloodstained documents, four mobile phones, two hammers, and three biros.

Adeh said the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.

One-chance robbery—a form of street crime in which unsuspecting passengers are lured into commercial vehicles operated by criminals—has remained a major security concern in Abuja and other major Nigerian cities.

Victims are often robbed of cash, phones, and valuables, and in some cases, subjected to physical assault or kidnapping.

The FCT Police Command has, in recent months, intensified efforts to clamp down on one-chance syndicates, deploying both overt and covert strategies, including increased patrols and surveillance around major bus stops and highways.

Despite these efforts, incidents have persisted.