Police nab six suspects for phone theft and fraud

The Borno State Police has arrested six suspects for stealing a mobile phone and for taking N5.65 million from the owner's bank account.

The arrests came after a complaint from a resident of Damboa Road, Maiduguri, named Abba K.

On Wednesday, the police's Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, said the victim reported that his Infinix Smart 8 phone disappeared from his pocket after he got out of a commercial tricycle on October 13, 2026.

"The Borno State Police Command, led by CP Naziru Abdulmajid, psc, has made a big breakthrough in fighting crime with the arrest of six suspects linked to the case of mobile phone theft, conspiracy, fraud, and the illegal withdrawal of N5.65 million from a bank account.

"On October 13, 2026, around 9 am, Abba K, a male from Damboa Road, Maiduguri, took a commercial tricycle (Keke NAPEP). After getting off, he found that his Infinix Smart 8 phone was missing from his pocket," Daso said.

He mentioned that the victim reported the matter to the police, leading the Commissioner of Police to instruct the VCRU Unit to look into the case.

"Through careful investigation, digital forensic analysis, and gathering intelligence, the operatives arrested six suspects believed to be involved in the crime," he added.

Daso stated that the suspects confessed to taking the phone and withdrawing N5.65 million from the victim's bank account during questioning.

"The suspects also said that they shared the money among themselves," he noted.

The police spokesman confirmed that they recovered the stolen phone and the entire amount of N5.65 million.

He mentioned that the case would go to court once the investigation is complete.

The command promised to keep protecting lives and property. They urged residents to be alert when using public transport and to report anything suspicious to the nearest police station.

They also warned that they would increase security operations and take legal action against anyone involved in criminal activities.