How Police Nabbed Chef Over Alleged Drugging, ₦150m Luxury Items Theft In Abuja
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, identified as John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in the drugging of residents and the theft of luxury items worth about ₦150 million from a residence in Abuja.
The Police Force, in a statement on Monday, said the arrest was carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) following investigations into allegations bordering on criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, administering suspected harmful substances, malicious damage, and theft.
The Police said investigations revealed that the suspect, who reportedly trained at a catering school in Cotonou, Benin Republic, secured employment as a chef in the residence after making contact with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently at large.
According to investigators, Govi allegedly studied the routine, movements, and security structure of the residence before executing the operation on April 23, 2026.
Findings further showed that food prepared in the residence was allegedly laced with a suspected sedative substance aimed at incapacitating the occupants and security personnel.
After the victims reportedly became unconscious, the suspect allegedly facilitated the entry of his accomplices into the house, where the gang vandalised the CCTV monitoring system, ransacked the apartment, and stole cash alongside 20 luxury wristwatches valued at approximately ₦150 million.
Police operatives later intercepted the suspects while they were allegedly attempting to flee through the Gwagwalada axis en route to Lagos.
During the operation, detectives recovered an iPhone 17 Pro Max belonging to one of the victims, as well as a suspected chemical substance, which has been forwarded for forensic analysis.
The Nigeria Police Force said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplices, reaffirming its commitment to tackling organised crime and ensuring all suspects are brought to justice.
