Operatives of the Bayelsa State Vigilante Service have apprehended two suspected phone thieves at the popular Tombia-Etegwe Roundabout in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The arrest followed a tip-off from one of their victims, who was dispossessed of his mobile phone inside a commercial tricycle, commonly known as a Keke.
PUNCH reports that the incident occurred around 11 am on Monday. A male victim identified as Abasi, from Akwa Ibom, boarded a tricycle and later discovered that his phone had been stolen.
Realising what had happened, Abasi quickly boarded another tricycle, which overtook the one used by the suspects.
He stopped at a vigilante unit post nearby and reported the incident. Acting on his information, the operatives intercepted and searched the identified tricycle, leading to the arrest of the suspects.
The suspects, identified as Daniel Michael Agu and Okpoh Kelvin, reportedly confessed to stealing several mobile phones.
Agu admitted they had been using a tricycle to carry out pickpocket operations across the state capital for several years, earning daily income from the crime.
Chairman of the Bayelsa State Vigilante Service, Doubiye Alagba, described Agu as the ringleader of a pickpocket syndicate who had recruited several young boys into the illegal trade.
He said, “These criminals, most times, use charms and diabolic means to steal valuables from their victims and this arrest is a major crackdown on pickpockets.
“Several phones were discovered within their possessions, including that of the complainant.
“On switching on one of the phones caught with them, the owner immediately called and said she was robbed by the suspects at a different location within Yenagoa.”
He further disclosed that multiple mobile phones were recovered from the suspects, including the one belonging to the complainant.
The suspects have been handed over to the police for further investigation.
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