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The Ekiti State Police command has arrested one Babatunde Olaoluwa, who allegedly specializes in stealing phones from worship centers.



A statement released by the command's spokesperson, DSP Sunday Abutu, says Olaoluwa was apprehended after pilfering seven mobile phones from unsuspecting worshippers during a service.



The statement reads,

"Yesterday, at about 16:30hrs, one Babatunde Olaoluwa, a one-man gang, who specializes in stealing phones from worship centers, was arrested after carting away seven different phones belong to different people from Christ Apostolic Church, Ayegbaju-Ekiti."



Describing Olaoluwa's modus operandi, the statement revealed that the suspect would infiltrate worship gatherings under the guise of a fellow worshipper, carefully selecting moments of heightened praise and distraction to execute his thefts.





The police spokesperson added that further investigations revealed that Olaoluwa's extensive criminal activities, with reports indicating his involvement in similar incidents targeting churches in Oye and Ayegbaju-Ekiti. Churches such as the Redeemed Christian Church of God and New Reality Christian Center were cited as previous targets.

When interrogated, the suspect confessed to dispatching the stolen phones to Lagos through a motor park, where an accomplice facilitate their sale. He said proceeds from the illicit sales were allegedly transferred back to him via online transactions.

Seven stolen phones were however recovered from him. The police vowd that the suspect would face prosecution following the completion of the investigation.