One individual named Babatunde Olaoluwa, known for his theft of mobile phones in places of worship, has been apprehended by the Ekiti State Police Command.
The arrest took place following the disappearance of seven mobile phones during a gathering at the Christ Apostolic Church in Ayegbaju-Ekiti.
In a statement signed by the Command’s public relations officer, DSP Sunday Abutu, this incident was detailed.
According to the statement, “During an event at the Christ Apostolic Church in Ayegbaju-Ekiti, Babatunde Olaoluwa, a lone thief specializing in phone theft within worship centers, was arrested at about 16:30hrs yesterday after seizing seven different phones owned by various individuals.”
“Pretending to be a member of the church, the suspect observed the worshippers and took advantage of the atmosphere of praise to steal the seven phones.”
“In his confession during interrogation, the suspect admitted to targeting churches in Oye and Ayegbaju-Ekiti. He further confessed to carrying out similar thefts at the Redeemed Christian Church of God and the New Reality Christian Center, both located in Oye-Ekiti.”
“Investigations uncovered that once he obtained the phones, the suspect typically sent them via a motor park to Lagos, where a friend helped him sell them, sending back the profits through online transactions.”
“Subsequently, the seven phones he stole during the most recent incident at Christ Apostolic Church in Ayegbaju-Ekiti have been retrieved. Some victims of his crimes have come forward at the station, identifying both the suspect and their stolen phones.”
“Upon the completion of the investigation, the suspect will face appropriate charges.”