Police Arrest Chef Over Drugging, Theft of N150m Goods in Abuja

Police in Abuja have arrested a chef accused of drugging residents of a private home and stealing luxury items worth about ₦150 million in an alleged coordinated operation involving accomplices still at large.

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in drugging occupants of a residence and stealing luxury items valued at about ₦150 million in Abuja.

The arrest was carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), according to a statement issued on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid.

Police said the suspect is facing allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, administering suspected harmful substances, malicious damage to property, and theft.

According to preliminary investigations, Govi allegedly gained employment as a chef within the residence after connecting with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently at large.

The suspect, who reportedly trained as a chef in Cotonou, Benin Republic, was said to have monitored the daily routines and security arrangements of the household before executing the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators allege that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance used to incapacitate occupants and security personnel.

The statement said once the victims were rendered unconscious, the suspect allegedly facilitated the entry of his accomplices, who vandalised CCTV systems and ransacked the residence.

Items reportedly stolen include cash and about 20 luxury wristwatches valued at approximately ₦150 million.

Police further stated that the suspect was intercepted while attempting to flee through the Gwagwalada axis en route Lagos.

During the arrest, officers recovered an iPhone 17 Pro Max belonging to the victim as well as a suspected chemical substance now undergoing forensic analysis.

The Force added that efforts are ongoing to track and arrest the remaining suspects involved in the operation.

The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all perpetrators of such crimes are brought to justice.