Police arrest suspected phone thief, recover 22 SIM cards in Minna

Friday, January 16, 2026 - The Niger State Police Command has arrested a suspected pickpocket for house breaking, phone theft and recovered 22 SIM cards from him. 

The spokesperson of the command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 said the suspect, Usman Umar the suspect confessed to being a cutpurse specialized in snatching mobile phones from unsuspecting victims at different markets.

The suspect also confessed to selling the stolen phones to receivers at different locations but retained the sim cards for other criminal purposes.

According to the PPRO, Umar was nabbed while attempting to steal compressors from refrigerators and Air conditioners in a hotel in Minna. 

“On 6th January 2026 at about 10am, credible intelligence received indicated that an unknown individual was sighted at a Hotel in Minna moving suspiciously,” the statement read.

"Acting on the information received, police detectives attached to Minna Police Area Command quickly mobilised to the scene and arrested one Usman Umar 35yrs of Dala area, Kano State and the following items were found in his possession; twenty-two (22) sim cards, one Redmi phone, one Infinix phone, one Itel Button phone.

"During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a cutpurse (pickpocket), specialized in snatching mobile phones from unsuspecting victims at different markets, including markets in Lagos State. 

"He also confessed to selling the stolen phones to receivers at different locations but retaining the sim cards for other criminal purposes

"The suspect added that he was on his way to Kano from Lagos after disposing the stolen phones but decided to stop and lodge in a hotel in Minna to perpetrate the crime of stealing compressors from refrigerators and Air conditioners due to incomplete transportation fare before his arrest in the said Hotel.

"He had successfully vandalized compressors from about three rooms and sold them to receivers in Suleja. He later returned to the hotel for more of the items before his arrest. 

“The suspect is in custody undergoing further interrogation and will be charged to court for prosecution accordingly while efforts are ongoing to locate and identify the rightful owners of the recovered items.”