We have stolen over 70 phones this year, say suspects

Two suspected thieves, arrested by operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos State, have revealed how they stole over 70 phones this year.

The suspects, Ufoma Asakpa, 22, and Augustine Omedo, 20, used to operate at Abule- Oja in Yaba area of the metropolis.

According to them, they used to steal handsets and valuable inside shops. Police said the two were caught right in the act on October 13, 2014, at about 18:22 pm, after they had successfully stolen three handsets from a particular shop in the area. Commander of the RRS, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olatunji Disu, said: “Our policemen, who were on patrol routine around Yaba axis got a distress call from the suspects’ victims. The victims said that two men had just robbed them.

The policemen trailed the suspects and caught them attempting to mount a motorcycle.

The duo was conveyed to the squad’s headquarters in Alausa for interrogation. Disu said: “Upon completion of our preliminary investigation, we discovered that the two suspects specialised in stealing phones and other valuable items under the pretence of buying products from any shop they visited.

The Ufoma and Augistine confessed that they used to disguise as buyers of goods, and once they found out that the seller was sleeping or was out of sights, they would pick the displayed phones, money and other valuables and disappear. They further claimed that poverty lured them into stealing. Omedo said that he didn’t want his parents to know that he was involved in stealing.

Omedo said: “I’m a secondary school drop- out. I was unable to proceed to senior classes after I failed Junior WAEC. My parents took me to my brother’ shop to learn how to repair generator but I couldn’t endure the period of apprenticeship.

While looking for ways to earn quick money, I met my partner who introduced this act of stealing to me. I joined him about 10 months ago and police had never caught us until now. “In fact, my parents must not know that I’m thief.

I leave home every day as if I was going to work. I have regretted my actions for taking to stealing for survival. It was devil that pushed me into it.” Ufoma, his accomplice, said: “When I entered the shop pretending to buy a sachet of water and cooked rice, I saw a phone which was charging inside the shop. I took the phone and switched it off immediately.

My partner had also gone to another shop to steal phones too. We had already successfully stolen those phones and were already on our way when suddenly, we saw RRS men chasing us. As we were about to mount motorcycle, they arrested us!”