Men of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps have arrested one Godwin, allegedly disguised as mentally unstable, for being in possession of 27 SIM cards.
In a statement released, the agency stated that the suspect was arrested following several complaints from residents of Epe who noticed his suspicious movement. The residents alleged that the suspect had been spotted in several occasions taking refuge in an abandoned building near the T-junction in Epe. They claimed they saw him changing his clothes each morning and frequently engaging in late-night phone conversations.
Acting on the tip-off, the operatives of the Epe command, during a routine patrol on Monday, found the suspect temporarily absent from his usual spot and decided to search the security post where the SIM cards were discovered.
“On May 5, during a routine patrol, officers were informed by residents that the suspect was temporarily absent from the area. Acting swiftly, the patrol team searched the structure and discovered 27 registered SIM cards concealed within a section of a block wall.
Officers were immediately dispatched, and Mr Godwin was arrested shortly after his return to the location. During interrogation, he confirmed his identity and background but declined to reveal the location of any mobile phones linked to the SIM cards,” the statement partly read.
The statement added that a local food vendor corroborated reports of the suspect’s strange behaviour, noting that he often appeared mentally sound despite his erratic lifestyle.
The suspect has since been handed over to the police. The state police command however dismissed claims that the suspect may be a kidnapper as no evidence to back up the claim has been found yet. The command says further investigation is being carried out.