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Osun NSCDC apprehends ex-convict, cultists for phone theft fraud
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Osun State Command has arrested a syndicate specializing in mobile phone theft and defrauding unsuspecting persons .
The suspects who were arrested at different locations in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, are Kayode Owoseni (35) male, a two-time ex-convict resident of Agbode Street, Oke Baale , Osogbo. Olasunkanmi Adesina (42) male, resident of Oke-Ayepe, a suspected cultist and Kehinde Bankole (32), resident of Idi-Omo. Sabo Road, Osogbo, Osun State.
According to the State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Osun state Command, Michael Adaralewa PhD, the arrest followed a complaint from one of their victims, whose phone was stolen.
Adaralewa said, the complainant made it known that on the 14th day of June, 2024, two men came to buy sachet water in her shop at Inisa, Osun State. While attending to the men, her phone was on one of the tables in the shop. The duo later said they were not buying again and promised to come back that It was after they left the shop that the victim realized she could not find her phone again.
“Upon her complaint, the command swung into action and members of the syndicate were arrested on 1st July, 2024.
“Diligent investigation revealed that one of the suspects, Kayode Owoseni, had been convicted twice for similar offence. While making his confessional statement”.
The commandant said the suspect (Kayode) revealed that he learnt the act of pickpocketing from his friends and their base is at Oja Oba, Osogbo.
During interrogation one of the suspects identified as Adeshina Olasunkanmi said he belongs to a cult group known as ‘’Eta Fraternity.’’
He confessed that the stolen phones had been sold, but before then he used the phone’s Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card to call unsuspecting persons, pretending to be an old man who mistakenly dialled phone numbers.
He further explained that in the process of the conversation tell the receiver of the call that he is an herbalist and would want to offer assistance of money rituals.
According to him, after those who fell from his antics must have sent money to him for sacrifice, he will later destroy the SIM cards, so as to obliterate evidence.
The suspect further revealed that he worked in collaboration with a man he referred to as ‘’JEEGUN,’’ and both of them have been defrauding persons of their hard earned money for fifteen (15) years now.
NSCDC boss, however, said it was a case of stealing, impersonation, fraud and conspiracy to defraud unsuspecting persons. He, therefore, assured residents of Osun State that the suspects would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
The Commandant called on criminally minded people in the state to desist from their activities or face the consequences of their actions.
