Seven Abuja drug syndicates arrested, 13 vehicles recovered

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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