By The police in osun state have arrested saheed abioye, also known as anini, a suspected serial phone thief. the arrest was made by the anti-cultism squad of the osun state police command. the suspect was paraded before the media, where he admitted his intentions to steal phones from worshippers during a vigil service at a church in the alekuwudo area of osun state. however, he fell asleep and was unable to carry out his plan.
According to the suspect, he arrived at the church around 10:45 pm and sat at the back, waiting for an opportunity to steal phones from people who might be charging them at the back of the church. however, he fell asleep soon after the vigil started and only woke up around 3 am, by which time the vigil had ended and people were leaving. he left the church empty-handed.
On his way back, near the akindeko market in the alekuwodo area, the suspect encountered a police patrol vehicle and some anti-cultism operatives from dugbe divisional headquarters in osogbo. they stopped him and conducted a search but found no incriminating items. suspecting his involvement in criminal activities, they took him back to the church to verify his claims. however, the pastor confirmed that he did not see the suspect at the church, leading to his subsequent detention at the dugbe police station.
Further investigations revealed that the suspect had a history of phone theft. his video was recorded and shared with other police stations, where some operatives who had previously arrested him identified him as an expert in phone theft. the suspect confessed to stealing and selling over 18 phones from various parts of the state.
The police command has stated that the suspect will be arraigned in court as soon as possible.
