The police said upon search, 17 mobile phones, N91,000 cash, and multiple ATM cards were recovered from a bag in his possession.
A suspected serial phone thief identified simply as Francis has been arrested at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa, venue of the defection ceremony of Governor Douye Diri to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He was apprehended by operatives of the Bayelsa State Vigilante Service.
The suspect, who reportedly confessed to having travelled in from Rivers State specifically to exploit the massive political gathering, was arrested on Monday, November 3, 2025 after a special tactical squad of the Vigilante outfit discreetly monitored his suspicious movements within the crowd.
The police said upon search, 17 mobile phones, N91,000 cash, and multiple ATM cards were recovered from a bag in his possession.
According to preliminary confessional statements obtained from the suspect, he was working in tandem with another accomplice who narrowly escaped arrest.
The suspect further alleged that they had already stolen over N400,000 worth of cash before operatives closed in, adding that the fugitive accomplice was in possession of even more stolen devices.
The Chairman of the Bayelsa State Vigilante Service, Hon. Doubiye Alagba, who led the arrest personally, handed the suspect over to operatives of Operation Puff Adder of the Bayelsa State Police Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Alagba further warned that criminal elements must steer clear of Bayelsa State, stressing that his gallant officers are specially trained in intelligence gathering, behavioural observation and event environment surveillance.