The Niger State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) apprehended a tricycle operator who is part of a syndicate specializing in stealing mobile phones from their passengers.
The arrest was made following numerous complaints received by the command regarding phone-snatching and theft of bank savings facilitated through SIM cards.
According to the command, the suspect was apprehended based on intelligence provided by some of the victims.
Joachim Okafor, the State Commandant of the Corps, briefed journalists in his office, stating that the criminal syndicate operates using a tricycle marked with a tampered security number, deceiving victims into thinking they are regular passengers.
He stated that the suspect, identified as Abubakar Aliyu, has confessed to the crime and is now providing additional information that will help in apprehending other members of the gang.
Several victims, whose phones were recovered from the suspect, recounted similar methods used by him to steal their mobile phones.
The suspect, who was the tricycle driver, mentioned that he rented the tricycle from someone named Aji, emphasizing that this was his first time participating in such criminal activities.