‘One chance robbers on the prowl’ — police warn Abuja residents against boarding unpainted taxis

The federal capital territory (FCT) police command has warned Abuja residents against boarding unpainted taxis so as not to become victims of the “one chance” robbery.

“One chance” is a type of robbery in which unsuspecting passengers are lured into commercial vehicles whose occupants are robbers, then attack and strip the victims of all their valuables.

During a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Haruna Garba, FCT commissioner of police, said some suspected one-chance robbers have been arrested.  

“I wish to advise residents of the FCT to be wary of the kind of vehicles they board. It is advised that they should board only painted taxis from designated motor parks,” NAN quoted Garba as saying. 

“It is risky to board an unpainted taxi otherwise known as ‘kabu-kabu’ as they may fall victim to these robbers known as One Chance.”

Garba said police operatives recently rescued one Ebere Alice, who was robbed by a “once chance” gang using a  Golf taxi.

The commissioner added that three members of the gang were arrested after a hot chase.

“They include Sylvester Attah, the gang leader, who has been into One Chance robbery for the past three years, Olalekan Salihu, and Gabriel Okwashi,” he said.

“The suspects confessed to the crime and the Golf car with registration number TKP-624-AA used in committing the crime was recovered.”

Garba said the Mabushi division of the FCT police command has also arrested one Samuel Vincent, a member of a robbery gang, who specialises in robbing unsuspecting taxi passengers.

He said the suspect has confessed to his involvement in criminal activities while the car being used for the “one chance” operations has been recovered.