Operatives of the Bayelsa State Vigilante Security Service have apprehended an 18 year old boy, Promise Okpo, over alleged burglary and theft of mobile phones worth one million Naira.
The suspect, a native of Okordia community in Yenagoa Local Government area of the state, allegedly 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 on Thursday, July 13, 2023, disclosed that the suspect was a staff working in another shop inside the plaza.
Alagba said upon interrogation and investigation, the suspect cut into the shop using a soul-cutting blade and made his way into the shop and successfully carted away with the phones and other items like wireless head gears, phone accessories, including receipts.
“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,” Alagba said, urging shop owners to be security conscious.
“They should possibly employ external security services to secure their business place at night and weekends,” he added.
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 company operating in the plaza.
“The internal security men stationed at the plaza were a bit relaxed to monitor his activities and so he took advantage of them,” Ongolo said.
“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 sleek phones that he stole,
Meanwhile, the suspect has been handed over to Operation Don-Akpo security outfit for further investigations.
