Nigeria: Police dismantles Lagos ‘One-Chance’ syndicate

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

The Lagos State Police Command has smashed a syndicate specializing in the notorious “one-chance” and ‘419’ operations, where suspects pose as commercial drivers, passengers, or traders to lure unsuspecting commuters into their vehicles and defraud, abduct, or extort them.

During a visit to the suspects’ base, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, revealed that the gang had been operating for over eight years, using about six vehicles, including a Toyota Sienna and other unmarked buses, to carry out their operations.

The police uncovered a building at No. 85 Pipeline Road, by OPC Junction in the Idimu area of Lagos, where members of the syndicate kept their victims hostage until their families paid for their release. Thirteen suspects were arrested, including an ex-convict who was released from prison last month and a woman who disguised as a prophetess to extort victims.

Two shrines were found in the building, with candles, olive oil, and clothes suspected to belong to victims. The CP explained that the suspects lured victims into their vehicles in the early hours of the morning and late at night, pretending to be commercial drivers or traders.

“They operate like a double-edged sword. If you cooperate with them and give them money under the pretext of business, investment, or purchase of goods, they defraud you and allow you to go. But if you refuse or become suspicious, they will detain the victim and call their families, claiming the victim has been kidnapped, and demand money before his or her release,” the CP said.

The police recovered two operational vehicles, a Hiace bus and a Toyota car, and several incriminating items. The suspects include Tina Williams, who claimed she was introduced to the business by her brother, and Emmanuel Njoku, 60, who said he had been in the “business” for eight years.

The CP warned commuters to be vigilant, advising them to avoid suspicious vehicles and always “shine their eyes.” He assured Lagos residents that the command was intensifying investigations to arrest other fleeing members of the gang and dismantle similar criminal networks.