In a significant breakthrough, the Police Command in Nigeria’s Ekiti State has successfully apprehended a notorious phone thief who had been preying on worshipers in churches across the region. The suspect, known for his cunning tactics of posing as a worshiper to steal phones, was finally brought to justice after orchestrating a series of thefts.
The arrest was made following the suspect’s latest operation targeting congregants at the Christ Apostolic Church in Ayegbaju-Ekiti and Oye-Ekiti towns. Commissioner of Police for Ekiti State, Akinwale Adeniran, revealed that the suspect was captured on Saturday, shortly after allegedly stealing seven mobile phones during a service.
According to statements from the police command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, Commissioner Adeniran explained that the suspect, disguised as a church member, meticulously observed the congregants before making his move. Exploiting the atmosphere of worship, he swiftly absconded with seven phones, marking just one instance in a string of thefts.
“The suspect, during interrogation, confessed to having been operating around Oye-Ekiti and Ayegbaju-Ekiti, with churches as his target. He further confessed to having stolen a lot of phones from the Redeemed Christian Church of God and New Reality Christian Centre, all in Oye-Ekiti,” Adeniran remarked, as quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Investigations into the suspect’s activities uncovered his modus operandi, which involved dispatching the stolen phones via motor parks to Lagos. There, an accomplice facilitated their sale, with the proceeds being sent back to him through online transfers.
Despite the recovery of the seven phones pilfered during his latest operation at CAC, Ayegbaju-Ekiti, Commissioner Adeniran confirmed that several victims have already identified the suspect and reclaimed their stolen property.
The apprehended suspect will now face legal proceedings as investigations continue. This arrest serves as a warning to criminals and a reassurance to the community that law enforcement remains vigilant in combating crime and protecting citizens’ safety and security.