Abuja chef arrested for drugging employers, stealing N150m luxury items

The Nigeria Police Force said it has, through the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team, FID-IRT, arrested one John Cosmos Govi, over his involvement in a case of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, administering suspected harmful substances, malicious damage to property, and theft involving the robbery of luxury items and valuables from a residence in Abuja.

A statement signed by DCP Anthony Okon Placid said that 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.

It said that 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 said 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,” the statement read. 

It added that 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 said that it remains committed to combating criminal activities and ensuring that all persons involved in organised crimes are brought to justice.