- Safiu Kehinde
The Lagos State Police Command has busted the hideout of a robbery and fraud syndicate, popularly known as ‘One Chance’, arresting an ex-convict and 12 other suspects.
The suspects who majorly engage in advance-fee fraud, commonly known as ‘419’, were apprehended following a raid on their hideout located at No. 85 Pipeline Road, near OPC Junction in the Idimu area of Lagos.
During an inspection of the premises by the Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, investigators discovered items believed to be linked to the group’s activities, including shrines and personal belongings suspected to belong to victims.
Addressing newsmen, the Commissioner explained that the syndicate typically targeted commuters in the early morning or late at night, posing as legitimate transport operators or traders.
However, the mode of operation involves luring the victim into a fake business deal or investment with one of the suspects pretending to be in possession of a huge amount of foreign currency.
In situation where a victim resist or become suspicious of the act, the suspects would allegedly detainagainst their will until relatives paid for their release.
“Their method is simple but dangerous. If a victim cooperates and parts with money under the guise of a business deal or investment, they are defrauded and released. But if the person resists or becomes suspicious, the gang detains the victim and contacts family members, falsely claiming the individual has been kidnapped, and then demands ransom,” he said.
Olohudare further identified worshippers heading for early morning prayers and commuters waiting at bus stops as the suspects’ frequent targets.
Intelligence reports and complaints from victims, he said, prompted the police to deploy surveillance teams and establish tactical checkpoints in identified hotspots.
In the course of the operation, 13 suspects were arrested, including a recently released ex-convict who had served a four-month prison sentence and a female suspect said to have posed as a prophetess to defraud victims.
“Three principal suspects were initially intercepted, including ringleaders, and they led operatives to the gang’s base. Subsequent searches yielded incriminating items, while further raids resulted in the arrest of 10 additional suspects, bringing the total to 13,” the Police boss said.
According to him, the syndicate had operated for more than eight years, using multiple vehicles, reportedly up to six, including unmarked buses and a Toyota Sienna, to pick up victims across different locations in the state. Some victims, he said, were intimidated or subdued with weapons to force compliance.
While assuring residents that efforts were ongoing to track down other fleeing members and dismantle similar networks, the Commissioner clarified that the incidents did not amount to kidnapping in Lagos.
“What we are dealing with are organised ‘one chance’ gangs who seize people in transit and extort money from their families,” he explained.
He urged commuters to remain alert, avoid suspicious vehicles and exercise caution when boarding public transport.
“Be conscious of your surroundings. Do not rush into any vehicle. If you feel uncomfortable, wait. Personal vigilance is your first line of defence,” he advised.
Meanwhile, some of the suspects, in their address with investigators, admitted their involvement and recounted how they allegedly lured victims during operations in different parts of the city.
According to reports, one of the principal suspects, Tina Williams, a native of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, narrated the circumstances surrounding her arrest.
She claimed was not a regular member of the group but became involved after personal hardship.
“I was not working with them steadily. My husband died and I was suffering. I came to meet my brother and he introduced me to the business.
“This man (pointing to one of the suspects) took me to Bode Thomas for the operation. A woman later raised an alarm and called area boys, claiming the man had duped her of millions. That was how we were arrested.” She said.
It was gathered that the woman who raised the alarm had earlier been held hostage, with millions of naira allegedly extorted from her family before she was released by the suspects.
Another suspect, Emmanuel Njoku, said he had been involved in what he described as the “business” for about eight years.
The 60-year-old Abia State indigene said, “Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. I was arrested at Bode Thomas. We went there to pick passengers going to any part of Lagos.
“When passengers boarded, this woman would claim she was carrying dollars. Anyone who was greedy would engage her in conversation and we would lure them.”
Also speaking, Ogbona Amos, who hails from Rivers State, claimed that the shrine found at the location was not used for criminal purposes.
He said, “I use the shrine for church work. I stayed with my friend, Rotimi (one of the suspects). We bring customers here.
“We are into 419. We have many offices and people come at any time. We have six different vehicles stationed at different locations and we own them. We collect money from victims; sometimes we get N100,000 or more.” He said.