The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a suspected domestic staff member accused of masterminding a daring Abuja mansion robbery after allegedly drugging residents and security personnel before fleeing with luxury wristwatches and cash worth about ₦150 million.
The suspect, identified as John Cosmos Govi, was arrested by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) over his alleged involvement in criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, administering suspected harmful substances, malicious damage to property, and theft.
Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid in a statement on Monday, said the suspect, reportedly trained at a catering school in Cotonou, Benin Republic, before securing employment as a chef within the Abuja residence through contacts linked to two accomplices identified simply as Peter and Moses, who are currently at large.
Police investigators disclosed that the suspect allegedly spent time studying the movement of residents, daily routines, and the security architecture of the house before executing the operation on April 23, 2026.
said preliminary investigations revealed that food prepared inside the residence was allegedly laced with a suspected sedative substance intended to incapacitate both the occupants and security personnel.
According to him, after the substance took effect, the suspect reportedly facilitated the entry of his accomplices into the residence.
“The gang subsequently vandalised the CCTV monitoring system, ransacked the apartment, and carted away cash alongside twenty luxury wristwatches valued at approximately One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (₦150,000,000),” Placid said.
The police spokesman further disclosed that operatives of the FID-IRT later intercepted the suspects while they were attempting to flee through the Gwagwalada axis en route Lagos.
He said an iPhone 17 Pro Max belonging to one of the victims was recovered during the operation alongside a suspected chemical substance believed to have been used in carrying out the crime.
“The suspected substance has since been forwarded for forensic analysis as investigations continue into the matter,” he added.
Placid noted that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplices and recover the remaining stolen valuables.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to combating criminal activities and ensuring that all persons involved in organised crimes are brought to justice,” he stated.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.
