The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a suspected chef, identified as John Cosmos Govi, in connection with the alleged drugging of residents and theft of luxury items valued at about ₦150 million from a residence in Abuja.
The arrest was announced in a statement issued on May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, on behalf of the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja.
According to the statement, the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) over allegations bordering on criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, administering harmful substances, malicious damage to property, and theft.
Investigators revealed that Govi, who reportedly attended a catering school in Cotonou, Benin Republic, gained employment as a chef at the residence after allegedly collaborating with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.
Police findings indicated that the suspect allegedly monitored the daily routine, movement patterns, and security arrangements within the residence before carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.
The statement noted that meals prepared inside the residence were allegedly laced with a suspected sedative substance aimed at incapacitating both occupants and security personnel.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, who reportedly trained at a catering school in Cotonou, Benin Republic, secured employment as a chef within the residence after establishing contact with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, both currently at large. Findings indicate that the suspect carefully studied the routine, movements, and security structure of the residence before executing the operation on 23rd April 2026.”
The police further stated that after the substance took effect, the suspect allegedly allowed his accomplices access into the building, where the gang reportedly damaged the CCTV monitoring system, searched the apartment, and stole cash as well as twenty luxury wristwatches.
“Further investigations established that food prepared within the residence was laced with a suspected sedative substance intended to incapacitate the occupants and security personnel. After the substance took effect, the suspect facilitated the entry of his accomplices into the residence, where the gang vandalised the CCTV monitoring system, ransacked the apartment, and carted away cash alongside twenty luxury wristwatches valued at approximately One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (₦150,000,000).”
The Force added that operatives later intercepted the suspect while allegedly attempting to escape through the Gwagwalada area on the way to Lagos.
“Operatives of the FID-IRT subsequently intercepted the suspects while attempting to flee through the Gwagwalada axis en route Lagos. During the operation, an iPhone 17 Pro Max belonging to the victim was recovered alongside a suspected chemical substance, which has since been forwarded for forensic analysis.”
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to tackling organised crime and ensuring that individuals involved in criminal activities are prosecuted.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to combating criminal activities and ensuring that all persons involved in organised crimes are brought to justice.”