Police arrest Abuja chef over alleged ₦150m luxury watch theft

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a suspect identified as John Cosmos Govi over his alleged involvement in a robbery operation targeting a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth millions of naira were stolen.

According to the police on its X handle on Monday, the arrest was carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) following investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, administering suspected harmful substances, malicious damage to property and theft.

According to preliminary findings by the police, Govi, who reportedly received catering training in Cotonou, Benin Republic, gained employment as a chef at the residence after allegedly making contact with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Investigators said the suspect allegedly studied the routines, movement patterns and security arrangements within the residence before carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Police said food prepared at the residence was allegedly laced with a suspected sedative substance intended to incapacitate occupants and security personnel.

After the substance reportedly took effect, the suspect allegedly enabled the entry of his accomplices into the property.

The gang was said to have vandalised the CCTV monitoring system, searched the residence and carted away cash as well as 20 luxury wristwatches estimated to be worth about ₦150 million.

Police operatives later intercepted the suspects while they were reportedly attempting to escape through the Gwagwalada axis en route to Lagos.
Items recovered during the operation included an iPhone 17 Pro Max said to belong to the victim and a suspected chemical substance, which has been sent for forensic examination.

The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and reiterated their commitment to tackling organised crime and ensuring all those involved are brought to justice.