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Police Nabs Jewellery Cartel Colluding With Robbers In Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday said it has dissolved a jewelry cartel with jewelries worth over billions of naira.
According to the Police Authorities, the jewelry business is sponsored from monies obtained from armed robbery operations in communities within and around the FCT
This was confirmed in a statement disclosed by Muyiwa Adejobi, the police Spokesman. He recalled April 28th, an armed robbery incident that occurred at the residence of a police officer, attached to the Force Headquarters, Abuja, in the Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He said during the incident, the officer was nearly murdered as the robbers made away with a safe containing jewellery, money, academic certificates, documents, phones, including other valuable properties belonging to various residents in the compound were carted away.
“CCTV footage captured the suspect at the crime scene, which has been helpful in our forensic investigations in the case so far.
In the course of the investigation, the stolen items where sold at Wuse Market and allegedly purchased by one Alhaji Auwal.
Reports from the Force Intelligence Department revealed that Alhaji Auwal, his sons, and other associates are part of a cartel involved purchasing stolen jewelleries.
The Nigeria police had earlier issued warnings to the FCT Gold Dealers Association to avoid purchasing stolen gold via their joint WhatsApp platform.
On the contrary, Alhaji Auwal facilitated its purchase and instructed his associates on how to handle it.
This group has been linked to previous similar cases under police investigations at various formations within the FCT.
“The 26 suspects arrested in connection with the case and many others, who are currently in custody, are being detained.
The detention is in line with a court order. The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigations, contrary to the news making rounds.”
