Tokyo cops arrest Nigerian club manager in Kabukicho for drugging, robbing customers

TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Monday arrested the Nigerian manager of a hostess club in Shinjuku Ward allegedly involved in a series of incidents in which male customers have been drugged and robbed, reports public broadcaster NHK (Feb. 2).

Officers took Benett Abugo, the 49-year-old manager of Angel Heart, which is located in the red-light district of Kabukicho, and six other employees, including Japanese and Russian hostesses, into custody on theft charges.

On November 22, a hostess at Angel Heart allegedly spiked a tequila drink of high alcohol content with a sleeping powder and served it to a 41-year-old male customer. The drugged victim was then taken to a nearby convenience store ATM, where 370,000 yen was withdrawn.

Two suspects, including Abugo, have reportedly admitted to the allegations while the other five suspects have denied involvement. “The customers drank spiked drinks with the drinks of customers their money was stolen,” said Abugo.

Since February of last year, police are aware of 11 cases of the suspects using similar tactics to rob customers of approximately 3.7 million yen.

According to TBS News (Feb. 2), investigators believe Abugo has participated in the theft of more than 200 million yen in various crimes over a five-year period.