FCT Police Arrests Notorious Armed Robbery Kingpin, 4 Others, Recovers Arms, Ammunitions

Ayuba Sanusi

OPERATIVES of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command on 4 April 2024, at about 2:00 pm, arrested one Chukwuemeka Oputa (aka Pounds and Dollar) ‘m’, 38 years old of Umuaka, Njaba, Imo State, and the leader of an armed robbery gang responsible for a series of armed robberies and other heinous crimes in the FCT.

His arrest is consequent upon the apprehension of one Moses Hassan ‘m’ of Idda, Kogi State, a cultist, and member of the armed robbery gang, on 14 February 2024.

Investigation subsequently led Police operatives to the arrest of three other gang members, namely: Praise Etta, 30 years old of Etung, Cross River State; Rafael Dav (aka Raffy) 28 years old of Guma, Benue State; and Thomas Akange, 38 years old of Markudi, Benue State.

All the suspects have reportedly confessed to being involved in a series of armed robberies and other heinous crimes in the FCT and are also members of a confraternity cult group called Vikings.

Several exhibits, such as four (4) locally fabricated AK47 rifles, three (3) locally made rifles using cartridges, an English pistol, one locally made pistol, a Dane gun, and three (3) AK47 ammunitions, a 5.56mm assault ammunition, and an empty cartridge, were recovered from the suspects.

While efforts are on to recover other exhibits in possession of the suspects, the Commissioner of Police FCT Command, CP Benneth C. Igweh reiterated his unflinching commitment to making FCT inhabitable for criminals. He also urged residents to be vigilant and to always take advantage of the Police emergency lines to report suspicious activities through: