Police bust Abuja 26-member syndicate trading in stolen jewellery

No fewer than 26 persons have been arrested in connection with a robbery incident in the Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, where jewellery, cash and other valuable items were carted away by the robbers.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, however, dismissed a report that the Inspector General of Police’s residence was robbed.

Adejobi disclosed that the CCTV facility at the scene of the incident revealed the suspected perpetrators of the crime, who attempted to kill a police officer during the incident.

The FPRO added that a careful investigation by the police revealed the suspects operated as a syndicate that allegedly dealt in stolen jewellery worth billions in naira.

Adejobi stressed that upon locating the base of the cartel in the Wuse Market in Abuja, police operatives stormed the market and arrested one Alhaji Auwal who allegedly specialised in buying the stolen items.

Adejobi added, “Despite police warnings to the FCT Gold Dealers Association to avoid purchasing the stolen gold via their joint WhatsApp platform, Alhaji Auwal facilitated its purchase and instructed his associates on how to handle it.

“Further investigations by the Force Intelligence Department revealed that Alhaji Auwal, his sons, and other associates are part of a cartel involved in dealing in stolen jewellery. This group has been linked to previous similar cases under police investigations at various formations within the FCT.

“The 26 suspects arrested in connection with the case and many others, who are currently in custody, are being detained legally under a court order and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigations, contrary to the news making rounds.”

Speaking on the alleged robbery incident at the IGP’s residence, Adejobi noted that such a report was untrue and misleading.

He added that the incident being misconstrued by the reports was the one which had happened at the residence of a police officer in the FCT while stressing that the IGP’s residence was secure.

“We wish to place it on record that the robbery or any burglary or theft never took place in the IGP’s residence nor any of the official facilities of the Nigeria Police Force.

“Those purporting the robbery, burglary or theft to have taken place in the residence of the IG do not know what the residence of the IG looks like, otherwise, they would have known that no robber, burglar or thief can get close to the residence of the Inspector General of Police of Nigeria and current chairman of the Committee of West Africa Chiefs of Police.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains firmly committed to ensuring justice and upholding the rule of law. All suspects are being treated according to due process. The general public is hereby urged to disregard the falsehood being peddled by the publisher and its agents, whose duty is to constantly attack and malign the reputation of the Nigeria Police Force,” Adejobi concluded.