The Nigeria Police Force has busted a cartel dealing in jewelry worth billions of Naira obtained from armed robbery operations in Abuja and its environs.

The Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the cartel was busted after a police officer, attached to the Force Headquarters, Abuja, in the Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory, was robbed at his residence on April 28, 2024.

According to him, the officer was nearly smothered, while a secured safe containing jewelry, money, academic certificates, documents, phones, and other valuable properties belonging to various residents in the compound were carted away.

Adejobi, in a statement, said CCTV footage captured the suspect at the crime scene, adding that the clip had been helpful in forensic investigations in the case.

The Force spokesman explained that the jewelry was traced to Alhaji Auwal, who is a member of the FCT Gold Dealers Association, adding that 26 suspects have been arrested in connection with the case.

The statement read, “Subsequent investigations traced the stolen items to Wuse Market, where they were allegedly purchased by one Alhaji Auwal. Despite police warnings to the FCT Gold Dealers Association to avoid purchasing the stolen gold via their joint WhatsApp platform, Alhaji Auwal facilitated its purchase and instructed his associates on how to handle it.

“Further investigations by the Force Intelligence Department revealed that Alhaji Auwal, his sons, and other associates are part of a cartel involved in dealing in stolen jewelleries. 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 legally under a court order and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigations.”

The police spokesperson clarified that contrary to reports, the robbery did not occur at the residence of the Inspector General of Police

He said, “We wish to place it on record that the robbery or any burglary or theft never took place in the IGP’s residence nor in any of the official facilities of the Nigeria Police Force.

“Those purporting the robbery, burglary or theft to have taken place in the residence of the IG obviously do not know what the residence of the IG looks like, otherwise they would have known that no robber, burglar or thief can get close to the residence of the Inspector General of Police of Nigeria and current chairman of the committee of West Africa Chiefs of Police.

“Assuming, in the most unlikely event such robbery, burglary, or theft occurred at the residence of the IGP, we should be talking about the number of policemen in detention and not this ring of armed robbers. For emphasis, the entire neighbourhood of IG residence is fortified, safe, and secure against such security breaches and criminal occurrences.”