In Abuja, police capture a robbery syndicate and seize weapons.

Officers of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have arrested one Chukwuemeka Oputa, also known as Pounds and Dollar, a 38-year-old male from Umuaka, Njaba, Imo State.

Oputa is said to be the leader of an armed robbery gang responsible for a series of armed robberies and other heinous crimes.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, made the development known in a statement on Monday.

Adeh said, “Operatives of the FCT Police Command on April 4, 2024, at about 2:00 pm, arrested one Chukwuemeka Oputa, also known as Pounds and Dollar, aged 38, from Umuaka, Njaba, Imo State. He is the leader of an armed robbery gang responsible for a series of armed robberies and other heinous crimes in FCT.

“His arrest follows the apprehension of one Moses Hassan, from Idda, Kogi State, a cultist and member of the armed robbery gang, on February 14, 2024.

“Subsequently, police operatives arrested three other gang members: Praise Etta, aged 30, from Etung, Cross River State; Rafael Dav, also known as Raffy, aged 28, from Guma, Benue State; and Thomas Akange, aged 38, from Markudi, Benue State.”

Adeh added that all the suspects have confessed to being involved in a series of crimes within the FCT, as well as being members of a cult group.

“All the suspects have confessed to being involved in a series of armed robberies and other heinous crimes in FCT and are also members of a confraternity cult group called Vikings.

“Several exhibits were recovered from the suspects, including four locally fabricated AK47 rifles, three locally made rifles using cartridges, an English pistol, one locally made pistol, a Dane gun, three AK47 ammunitions, a 5.56mm assault ammunition, and an empty cartridge.

“Efforts are underway to recover other exhibits in possession of the suspects.

“The Commissioner of Police, FCT, Bennet C. Igweh, reiterates his unflinching commitment to making FCT inhabitable for criminals,” the police spokesperson added.