House Help, 4 Others Arrested as ‘One Chance’ Gang Drains ₦4.6m from Port Harcourt Victim”

The Rivers State Police Command have arrested five suspects, including a 20-year-old domestic worker, Praise Sampson, over their alleged involvement in a sophisticated “one chance” robbery operation that siphoned more than ₦4.6 million from a victim’s bank account in Port Harcourt.

The incident, which initially appeared to be a routine taxi ride, has since exposed what authorities describe as a well-coordinated criminal network that has been operating across the city. At the centre of the case is Sampson, a house help employed by a Port Harcourt resident, Rosemary Vincent, who investigators say played a dual role as both a victim and a key link in the syndicate’s operation.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Blessing Agabe, the sequence of events began on the evening of April 26, 2026. Sampson was reportedly lured into boarding a taxi by two male accomplices under circumstances that suggested prior coordination. Once inside the vehicle, the situation quickly escalated as she was allegedly coerced and manipulated into handing over two Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards belonging to her employer.

Police investigations revealed that the suspects wasted no time in exploiting the access. Within a short period, the gang carried out multiple transactions, successfully withdrawing a total sum of ₦4,607,199 from Vincent’s bank account before any intervention could be made. The withdrawals, believed to have been executed across different locations to avoid detection, point to a level of planning and experience by the perpetrators.

The victim, Rosemary Vincent, reportedly discovered the unauthorized transactions and raised the alarm around 7:30 p.m. the same day at the Divisional Police Station in Choba. Her prompt report triggered an immediate response from law enforcement authorities.

Acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, a coordinated investigation and manhunt were launched. Tactical teams were deployed to track down the suspects, using intelligence gathered from initial findings. The operation led to the eventual arrest of all five individuals connected to the crime.

Further inquiries by the police have linked the suspects to a string of similar “one chance” incidents within the Port Harcourt metropolis. Authorities believe the gang had refined their tactics over time, targeting unsuspecting individuals and, in some cases, leveraging insider access to maximize their gains. The involvement of a domestic worker in this case, investigators noted, reflects a disturbing evolution in the modus operandi of such criminal groups.

The “one chance” phenomenon has long been a source of concern in major Nigerian cities, where commuters are tricked into boarding vehicles operated by criminals who then rob, abduct, or extort them. However, this latest development underscores a new dimension the exploitation or coercion of trusted insiders such as domestic staff to gain access to victims’ financial tools and sensitive information.

Reacting to the incident, CP Adepoju issued a strong advisory to residents, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance. He cautioned against sharing ATM cards, PINs, or other sensitive financial details with anyone, including domestic employees, and urged the public to exercise extreme care when boarding commercial vehicles.

He also encouraged residents to promptly report any suspicious movements or incidents to the nearest police station, assuring that the Command remains committed to tackling criminal activities and ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.

The suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to face prosecution upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations. Authorities say efforts are also underway to identify and apprehend any additional accomplices who may still be at large.