Akwa Ibom: Police arrest suspect with 36 stolen phones

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has re-arrested a suspected receiver and distributor of stolen mobile phones, identified as Musa Idris, after recovering 36 phones believed to be linked to robbery operations.

Speaking during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Uyo on Wednesday, the Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, said the suspect was apprehended along the Calabar–Itu Road following credible intelligence. The recovered items included 34 Android phones and two button phones.

According to the commissioner, investigations revealed that Idris had previously been arrested in October 2025 for offences related to armed robbery and possession of more than 200 suspected stolen phones.

Azare stated “that the findings suggest the recovered devices were proceeds of armed robbery activities carried out by criminal groups operating within and outside Akwa Ibom State”.

He added that the suspect provided useful information indicating the existence of a wider network involved in the trafficking and resale of stolen phones beyond Nigeria’s borders.

Efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate.