Police arrest Chef over alleged drugging, N150m luxury heist in Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of a suspect, identified as John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a sophisticated robbery operation targeting a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth approximately N150 million were stolen.

The arrest was carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), according to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, who reportedly trained at a catering school in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, had gained employment as a chef within the affected residence.

Police said he allegedly established contact with two accomplices identified only as Peter and Moses, who are currently at large.

Investigators further disclosed that Govi allegedly spent time studying the household’s daily routines, movement patterns, and security arrangements before executing the operation on April 23, 2026.

According to the police statement, the suspect is believed to have introduced a sedative-like substance into food prepared within the residence, which allegedly incapacitated occupants and on-duty security personnel after consumption.

Once the victims were reportedly unconscious, the gang allegedly gained access to the property and carried out the robbery.

The attackers were said to have disabled and vandalised the closed-circuit television (CCTV) system before ransacking the apartment.

Items stolen included cash and about twenty luxury wristwatches, all valued at roughly N150 million.

Following the incident, operatives of the FID-IRT reportedly tracked and intercepted the suspects while they were attempting to flee through the Gwagwalada axis in the Federal Capital Territory en route to Lagos.

During the operation, police recovered an iPhone 17 Pro Max belonging to the victim, alongside a suspected chemical substance believed to have been used in the commission of the crime.

The substance has since been sent for forensic analysis.

The Nigeria Police Force also reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all individuals connected to such sophisticated criminal operations are apprehended and prosecuted.

Authorities confirmed that efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest the two fleeing suspects, Peter and Moses, as investigations continue.