The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has rescued two suspected “one chance” robbers from a violent mob in Utako, while cautioning residents against taking the law into their own hands.
In Nigeria, “one chance” refers to organised robberies where criminals pose as commercial drivers or passengers to lure victims into a vehicle before robbing, assaulting, or kidnapping them.
According to a statement on Friday by FCT Police spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh, the rescue occurred on Thursday around 11:00 AM after the Utako Police Division received a distress call.
Police officers reportedly arrived to find an angry crowd attacking two male suspects, identified as Kefas Akaye and Uya Ugwowere. The operatives successfully extricated the men before the situation turned fatal.
The statement added, “Preliminary investigations revealed that the rescued suspects are members of a four-man gang involved in ‘one chance’ robbery operations within the Federal Capital Territory. Further investigations revealed that they come into the FCT from Uke, Nasarawa State, to perpetrate their criminal activities. Two other members of the gang, identified as Mary and Aisha (surnames yet to be confirmed), escaped the scene during the commotion.”
Adeh emphasised that while investigations continue to apprehend the fleeing gang members, the command strongly condemns all acts of mob violence.
She warned, “The assault or lynching of suspects not only endangers innocent lives but also compromises investigations by destroying critical evidence and hindering the identification and arrest of accomplices. Such unlawful actions ultimately undermine the justice process and deny victims and society the benefits of lawful prosecution and possible restitution of stolen property.”
The FCT Police Command urged the public to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station instead of engaging in “jungle justice.”
Earlier in January, the FCT Police Command arrested three suspects linked to the killing of a legal practitioner, Chigbo Princess, reportedly connected to “one chance” robbery operations. Her body was found along the Kubwa Expressway, with her bag containing her identity card and personal belongings recovered nearby.
Elijah Adeyemi
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