Police Nab Abuja Chef for Allegedly Drugging Victims, Stealing Luxury Items Worth N150m

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), through its Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a criminal operation involving conspiracy, housebreaking, the administration of suspected harmful substances, malicious damage to property, and the theft of luxury items and valuables from a residence in Abuja.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect, who reportedly trained at a catering school in Cotonou, Benin Republic, secured employment as a chef at the residence after making contact with two accomplices, identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

According to the police, the suspect carefully monitored the household’s routine, movements, and security setup before carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, disclosed that further findings revealed food prepared in the residence was laced with a suspected sedative to incapacitate occupants and security personnel.

“Once the substance took effect, the suspect enabled his accomplices to gain access to the residence, where they disabled the CCTV system, ransacked the apartment, and made away with cash and twenty luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million,” he said.

Operatives of the FID-IRT later intercepted the suspect while attempting to flee through the Gwagwalada axis en route to Lagos.

During the operation, an iPhone 17 Pro Max belonging to the victim was recovered, along with a suspected chemical substance, which has been sent for forensic analysis.