Seven Abuja drug syndicates arrested, 13 vehicles recovered.
Seven suspected members of a notorious drug syndicate operating in the Abuja metropolis were arrested by operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, PUNCH Metro, on Thursday.
The police also seized 13 vehicles believed to have been used in their criminal activities.
The suspects, identified as Abba Godwin, Abraham Anthony, Moses Obi, Moses Steven, Jude Simon, Terfa Akaaer and Hyacinth Avetse, were presented by the Federal Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory, Olatunji Disu, at the command headquarters on Thursday.
Speaking during the parade, Disu highlighted the syndicate's tactics, which include the use of painted vehicles to conceal their activities and evade detection.
He said: "A notable trend identified during these operations is that most of the vehicles used by syndicates are painted, making it easier for criminals to hide their activities and avoid detection. The command dismantled key syndicates, arrested suspects and recovered important evidence.
Disu revealed that three suspects, including Abba Godwin, Abraham Anthony and Moses Obi, were linked to a network led by a suspect, Friday Ogwuche, who is still at large.
He said the syndicate operated from Mararaba in Nasarawa State and had expanded its operations to densely populated areas in the FCT such as AYA Junction and Kubwa Expressway.
According to him, "Godwin, 42, a member of the gang for three months, acted as a fake passenger to lure victims. He admitted earning between N20,000 and N40,000 per day from the group's operations.
"Obi has been active since June 2024 and helped identify victims at bus stations and markets. He also gave details of the main ringleader of the group, nicknamed "Dangote".
He said a green Golf 3 and a grey Peugeot 406 were recovered from the suspects.
In another operation, Disu said the police arrested three other suspects believed to be members of another "one-off" gang.
He said: "Steven, 23, is based in North Bank, Benue State. He admitted to travelling to Abuja during festive periods to collaborate with the gang organised by a leader known as "Baba Peter" from Plateau State.
In addition, Simon has been involved in robbery for over a year and has mainly targeted morning commuters entering Abuja. "Akaaer, a taxi driver living near Mararaba Park, admitted to joining the gang and revealed their strategy of filling vehicles with accomplices while leaving an empty seat to lure unsuspecting victims."
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