Operatives of the Bayelsa State Vigilante Security Service have apprehended one suspected phone thief over alleged burglary and theft of mobile phones worth one million naira.
The culprit, Promise Okpo, 18, a native of Okordia community in Yenagoa Local Government area of the state, was alleged to have burgled a shop at Akums Plaza located at Kpansia at about 11am last sunday and made away with brand new mobile phones of different brands.
The Chairman of the Bayelsa State Vigilante Service, Hon. Doubiye Alagba, who confirmed the development, disclosed that the suspect is a staff working in another shop inside the plaza.
Alagba said upon interrogation and investigation, it was discovered that the suspect cut into the shop using a blade, made his way into the shop and successfully carted away the phones and other items like wireless head gears, phone accessories, including receipts.
According to Alagba, the suspect was arrested by a team of Bayelsa Vigilante operatives while trying to sell the phones and it was discovered the receipts were not his.
He urged shop owners to be security conscious and to employ external security services to secure their business place at night and weekends.
Confirming the incident, a former Chief of Staff to Bayelsa State Government, Rt. Hon. Talford Ongolo, who is the owner of the Akums Plaza shopping mall, disclosed that the suspect is a staff of one of the companies operating in the plaza.
He said “the internal security men stationed at the plaza were a bit relaxed to monitor his activities and so he took advantage of them.
“The suspect took advantage of the familiarity with the security men and was able to overwhelm their system and successfully stole those items. I commend the vigilance of the Bayelsa State Vigilante Service for apprehending him and recovering those phones that he stole.”
He commended state Governor, Senator Douye Diri for maintaining an impressive record in terms of security in the state.
“The huge investment by the state government in all the security outfits is worth it,” Ongolo stated.
Meanwhile the suspect has been handed over to Operation Don-Akpo security outfit for further investigations.