By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), through the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), has arrested a Chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in the drugging of residents and theft of luxury items valued at about ₦150 million in Abuja.
According to the Police, the suspect was arrested in connection with offences bordering on criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, administering suspected harmful substances, malicious damage to property and theft.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, preliminary 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 simply as Peter and Moses, who are currently at large.
The police disclosed that the suspect allegedly studied the routine, movements and security arrangement within the residence before carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.
Investigations further showed that food prepared in the house was allegedly laced with a suspected sedative substance aimed at incapacitating the occupants and security personnel.
The statement added that after the substance took effect, the suspect reportedly facilitated the entry of his accomplices into the residence, where they vandalised the CCTV monitoring system, ransacked the apartment and carted away cash alongside 20 luxury wristwatches valued at approximately ₦150 million.
Operatives of the FID-IRT were said to have intercepted the suspect while attempting to flee through the Gwagwalada axis on the way to Lagos.
Items recovered from the suspect include an iPhone 17 Pro Max belonging to the victim and a suspected chemical substance, which has been forwarded for forensic analysis.
The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplices and reiterated the Force’s commitment to tackling organised crime and ensuring that all those involved are brought to justice.