Thieves impersonate journalists at Abuja event centres

Three middle-aged men have been arrested for allegedly impersonating journalists to steal from guests at event centres and places of worship in Abuja. The suspects are: Kolawole Akin, 50, Rasheed Kareem, 40 and Isah Ibrahim, 51. The FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma, while parading the suspects said police operatives arrested the suspects on August […]

Three middle-aged men have been arrested for allegedly impersonating journalists to steal from guests at event centres and places of worship in Abuja.

The suspects are: Kolawole Akin, 50, Rasheed Kareem, 40 and Isah Ibrahim, 51.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma, while parading the suspects said police operatives arrested the suspects on August 11 at a church in Asokoro. He said the suspects usually disguised as journalists to steal cash, phones and other valuables from the pockets of guests at public gatherings.

“The suspects who operate mostly at places of worship and event centres where you have large gathering of important personalities were arrested at a church in Asokoro. Investigation is on-going and they would be charged to court as soon as this is concluded,” he said.

Speaking with journalists, one of the suspects, Kolawole Akin, however insisted he was a journalist. “I am a journalist with African People’s Voice. I worked with Trade Magazine before when the man was in Dublin. I only took my friend to the place in Asokoro, I am not the one that took anything from the place,” he said.

Meanwhile, the command also announced the arrest of one Chisom Eze on August 15 for allegedly being in possession of one locally made pistol and one live ammunition. He was said to be among the hoodlums attacking motorists on the Zuba/Kubwa Express road. Other exhibits recovered from the suspect were one military singlet, a pair of boots and two GSM phones. Also arrested were three armed robbery suspects who allegedly broke into a house at Ungwan Sanyi in Kuje town of Abuja and robbed the occupants of N10,000, two laptops, four phones and other valuables.

The suspects, Obadiah Isiaku, 22, Chinonso Udenze, 23 and Ikenna Sunday, 22, were arrested at Ungwan Mada in possession of the following exhibits used for the robbery operation: an improvised gun, a pair of scissors and a screw driver. 

“One Idris Jibrin, 30, has also been arrested as the receiver of the robbed items. Recovered from his custody are two phones and one laptop that were sold to him by the suspects. 

“Effort has been intensified to arrest the leader of the gang who is presently on the run.”