RismadarVoice Reporters, May 26, 2026
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, identified as John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a robbery operation in Abuja involving the theft of luxury items valued at about N150 million after reportedly drugging members of his employer’s household.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Anthony Placid, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, stating that the suspect was arrested over alleged criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, administering suspected harmful substances, malicious damage to property, and theft.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that Govi, who reportedly trained at a catering school in Cotonou, Benin Republic, secured employment as a chef within the residence after allegedly collaborating with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently at large.
The police said investigations showed that the suspect had allegedly studied the movements, routines, and security structure of the residence before carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.
“Further investigations established that food prepared within the residence was laced with a suspected sedative substance intended to incapacitate the occupants and security personnel,” the statement read.
Police said after the substance reportedly took effect, the suspect allegedly facilitated the entry of his accomplices into the residence.
“The gang 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 (N150,000,000),” ACP Placid added.
The Force spokesman disclosed that operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) later intercepted the suspect while allegedly attempting to flee through the Gwagwalada axis en route Lagos.
According to him, an iPhone 17 Pro Max belonging to the victim was recovered during the operation, alongside a suspected chemical substance believed to have been used in the incident.
The substance has since been forwarded for forensic analysis, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing accomplices.
The police said investigations into the matter are continuing.
