Bayelsa Police Bust Phone Theft Syndicate, Six Arrested

The Intelligence Bureau of the Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a criminal gang with a distinct modus operandi, they were skilled at stealing mobile phones from unsuspecting victims while masquerading as commercial tricycle drivers.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Asinim Butswat, in a statement released on Saturday, September 9, 2023, said that the operatives recovered four tricycles, five iPhones, fourteen Android phones, six button phones, as well as various amulets and charms from the six arrested suspects.

“The suspects, all males namely; Daniel Patrick 31 years, Oyinmi Gideon 37 years, Abdulmalik Sa’adu 22 years, Ebenezer Samuel 37 years, David Ebikabowei 27 years, and John Okon 38 years, Were arrested on 7 September 2023, at different locations within Yenagoa Metropolis, after sustained surveillance by Police Operatives,” the statement read.

The suspects‘ modus operandi is to drive in pairs, one claiming to be a driver and the other a passenger, when they pick a genuine passenger, the driver distracts the unsuspecting passenger by haggling over transport fares, the other partner then steals the phone from the unsuspecting passenger

“Consequently, they would sell the stolen phones to one Abubakar Mallam 37 years, AKA Danmallam, Ibrahim Ahmed 25 years and Iliya Isiaka 40 years at a give away price

“The Commissioner of Police Bayelsa State Command CP Tolani Alausa psc, calls on members of the public whose phones were stolen recently, to contact the Police Public Relations Officer for possible identification and recovery. The suspects are cooperating with the Police in their Investigation.”