Chukwudi Ezirike, suspected of orchestrating ‘one chance’ schemes that have instilled fear among commuters along the Kubwa/Zuba highway, have been apprehended by the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, as per their recent announcement.
In Nigeria, the phrase ‘one chance’ is often used to describe a criminal ploy where a group of perpetrators pretends to be a legitimate transport service, only to rob or rip off unsuspecting passengers waiting for a lift.
Greatness Olorunfemi, one of the unlucky victims, whose life was cut short in a ‘one chance’ crime, was reportedly making arrangements to move to the United States for her Ph.D. studies in Microbiology, as per recent reports.
In an address to reporters at the command’s headquarters, FCT Commissioner of Police Haruna Garba revealed that the police had recovered the blue Golf 3 car with Reg. No. KWL 536 RZ, which was the operational vehicle of Ezirike.
Speaking about the common pattern, he noted that a substantial number of the recovered vehicles linked to such crimes were outfitted with tinted glasses. Furthermore, during police searches, an axe, a cutlass, and a knife, suspected to be used in the execution of criminal activities, were found in these vehicles. He also confirmed that three of the apprehended suspects associated with these events are presently undergoing investigation.
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Garba said, ‘On October 11, 2023, acting on credible intelligence, police operatives from Byazhin Division trailed and arrested one Chukwudi Ernest Ezirike, a wanted ‘one-chance’ kingpin terrorising Kubwa/Zuba expressway.’
‘His operational vehicle, a Golf 3 car with Reg. No. KWL 536 RZ blue in colour was recovered. He is assisting the police to arrest his accomplice in the same ‘one-chance’ activities. He will be charged in court at the conclusion of the investigation.’
‘In a related development, the command’s newly created Anti-One Chance Squad to curb the menace of robbery (one-chance) activities within the FCT recovered ten (10) vehicles suspected to be used for one-chance activities within the FCT.’
‘Most of the vehicles recovered have tinted glasses on them. During a search, an axe, a cutlass, and one knife ostensibly for use in carrying out their criminal activities were recovered from the vehicles. Three (3) of the suspects at hand are under investigation.’
‘Similarly on 11/09/2023, the FCT Police Command Ant-Kidnapping Unit trailed and arrested a notorious kidnapper by the name one Salisu Abdulahi aka Gwaska. During the encounter, one of the gang members by the name Baba Dan Tsoho was shot dead by the police, while others fled.’
‘Aside from taking an active part in kidnapping activities, he is also an informant and food supplier to his master by name Badume. Badume is a kidnap kingpin who is responsible for kidnapping activities at Kaduna, Nasarawa States extending to Bwari and Mpape in the FCT. He is assisting the police to arrest other gang members.’