Osun: Police arrest four suspects over N5m phone theft

The Osun State Police Command has arrested four suspects over alleged conspiracy, burglary and theft involving mobile phones worth approximately N5 million in Osogbo, the state capital.

The suspects were identified as Afeez Arole, 30; Salami Wahab Idowu, 49; Akanmu Afeez, 37; and Adebisi Taofeek, 47.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, the incident was reported in the Oja-Oba area of Osogbo.

The police said the complainant reported on September 1, 2026, at about 10 p.m. that his shop had been burgled by suspected hoodlums.

“The suspects allegedly stole different types of mobile phones from the shop, with the stolen items valued at approximately N5 million,” the statement said.

The Command said its operatives subsequently commenced efforts to track down those suspected to have been involved in the alleged burglary and theft.

According to the statement, “credible information was received on September 22, 2026, at about 6:30 p.m. that suspected hoodlums had been sighted around the Oja-Oba area.”

The police said intelligence-led surveillance and investigation led operatives to raid a suspected hideout, resulting in the arrest of the four suspects.

“Two Itel mobile phones were reportedly recovered from the suspects during the operation,” the statement added.

The Command said the complainant subsequently identified the two Itel phones as part of the mobile phones allegedly stolen from his shop.

The four suspects have reportedly made statements to the police, while investigations continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence and determine the level of involvement of each suspect.

CP Zungura also directed the investigating team to intensify efforts to identify other suspected members of the alleged criminal network and recover more of the stolen items.

The Command urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly to the police.