Police arrest suspected ‘One-Chance’ robbers, recover two AK-47 rifles

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested suspected members of a “one-chance” robbery syndicate in Abuja as part of intensified efforts to tackle violent crime and protect commuters across the capital.

The suspects were identified by the command as Okwudili Benjamin, 41, of Mami Road, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, and Chinedu Mbaka, 37, of Aso B, Nasarawa State.

FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed the arrests during a briefing in Abuja, saying preliminary investigations linked the suspects to several “one-chance” robbery incidents within the city centre.

According to the police, the suspects were allegedly waiting for another accomplice on the night of their arrest before setting out to pick up unsuspecting passengers.

The command said exhibits recovered from the suspects had also been identified as belonging to some previous victims.

The police subsequently traced and arrested an alleged receiver, identified as Osondu Bernard, around NNPC Junction, Nyanya, as investigations were expanded.

The suspects remain in police custody, while the command said they would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations. The allegations have not been tested in court.

The arrests came against the backdrop of another police operation in which two AK-47 rifles were recovered following a raid on a criminal hideout in Kagarko Forest.

The police said a suspect, identified as Mushahu Ishak, was arrested during the operation. According to the FCT commissioner, other members of the gang later ambushed police personnel in an attempt to rescue him.

One police officer was shot during the August 16 attack but was reported to be recovering.

The two AK-47 rifles were recovered during the raid, according to the commissioner.

“One-chance” robbery typically involves criminals disguising themselves as commercial transport operators or using vehicles that appear to be legitimate taxis or buses to lure passengers.

Once a victim enters the vehicle, the criminals may threaten, assault or restrain the passenger before taking money, phones, bank cards and other valuables.

The Nigeria Police Force has previously described cases in which suspected syndicates posed as commercial transport operators before robbing, assaulting and, in some instances, abducting or killing passengers.

In April 2026, the police announced the arrest of two suspects linked to a suspected “one-chance” armed robbery syndicate operating in the FCT and surrounding areas. Police said the suspects had been linked to multiple incidents involving the theft of cash, mobile devices and other valuables, with some victims allegedly suffering serious physical harm.

The danger posed by “one-chance” robbery extends beyond financial losses.

Victims can face physical assault, abduction and other forms of violence because the criminals control the vehicle and can isolate passengers from immediate help.

The use of firearms by some criminal groups further increases the potential consequences of such attacks. The recovery of AK-47 rifles in the wider security operations underscores the broader challenge posed by heavily armed criminal networks operating around the FCT and neighbouring areas.

The recurring cases also raise concerns about passenger safety and the need for stronger identification and monitoring of commercial transport operators.

For commuters, security agencies generally advise caution when boarding unfamiliar vehicles, particularly those without clear identification or those operated by drivers who attempt to attract passengers through unusual or suspicious means.

Passengers should also avoid sharing sensitive banking information, PINs or passwords with strangers and should promptly report suspicious incidents to the police.

The FCT Police Command has urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with law-enforcement agencies by reporting suspicious persons, movements and activities.

The latest arrests form part of the broader police effort to disrupt criminal networks operating in and around Abuja. However, the effectiveness of such operations will ultimately depend not only on arrests and weapons recoveries but also on sustained investigations, prosecution of suspects where evidence supports charges, intelligence gathering and measures that make public transportation safer for commuters.