Operatives of the Delta State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit have arrested a four-member syndicate allegedly involved in stealing mobile phones from shops and supermarkets through a carefully coordinated deception scheme.
According to a statement by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, on Monday, the syndicate operated by posing as genuine customers in retail stores and supermarkets before targeting mobile phones belonging to shop owners or unsuspecting customers.
Edafe stated that the suspects would use a newspaper to conceal the targeted phones while pretending to inspect or purchase items. As they prepared to leave the premises, they would discreetly cover the phones with the newspaper, making it easier to remove the devices without attracting attention.
The police further disclosed that after stealing the phones, the suspects allegedly waybill them to Lagos where the devices’ International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers will be altered before being resold.
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The command said the arrests were made possible through intelligence-driven policing and digital investigative techniques aimed at dismantling organised criminal networks operating across state boundaries.
The suspects are currently in police custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Delta State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to tackling organised crime and urged business owners and members of the public to remain vigilant, especially in busy commercial areas, and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest security agency.
