Police arrest 24-year-old for stealing cleric’s mobile phone in Anambra

The suspect and recovered items. Photo: Police

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old suspect, Chidubem Anyigo, for allegedly stealing an iPhone 16 Pro Max mobile phone belonging to a Reverend Father in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

The arrest comes amid the command’s continued emphasis on intelligence-led policing and collaboration with community-based security groups to tackle burglary, theft and other crimes in the state.

The command has increasingly relied on local intelligence and joint operations with groups such as the Anambra Vigilante Group to identify suspects, recover stolen property and strengthen security at the community level.

In a statement released on Monday, the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said police operatives attached to the Okpoko Police Division, in collaboration with operatives of the Anambra Vigilante Group, arrested the suspect at Relief Market on October 30.

Ikenga added that the arrest followed credible intelligence gathering and was part of the command’s ongoing efforts to combat crime through intelligence-led policing and community security collaboration.

According to him, items recovered from the suspect included an iPhone 16 Plus and cash amounting to ₦150,070, adding that preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect allegedly burgled a parish house and stole the recovered items.

The statement read, “The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old suspect, Chidubem Anyigo, in connection with the burglary and theft of valuables belonging to a Reverend Father at St. Hilary Parish House, Owelle-Aja, Awada, Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“Items recovered from the suspect include an iPhone 16 Pro Max and a cash sum of ₦150,070. Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly burgled the parish house and stole the recovered items.

“During interrogation, he reportedly made useful statements to assist the ongoing investigation. The victim has also been contacted and has positively identified the recovered items.”

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Ama, commended the operatives of the police and AVG for their prompt response to credible intelligence and effective collaboration, which led to the arrest and recovery of the items.

The CP reiterated the command’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with community-based security structures and other stakeholders in the collective effort to combat crime, protect lives and property, and sustain public safety across the state.