The Ekiti State Police Command recently arrested Babatunde Olaoluwa,for stealing phones within worship centers. Olaoluwa’s arrest occurred shortly after he stole seven mobile phones during a service held at the Christ Apostolic Church in Ayegbaju-Ekiti.
According to the statement released by DSP Sunday Abutu, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Olaoluwa operated as a lone wolf, using deception as his primary tool. He would cunningly infiltrate worship gatherings, masquerading as a devout member to gain trust and access to his unsuspecting victims’ belongings. It was during the heightened spiritual atmosphere of praise and worship that he would strike, swiftly making away with multiple phones.
Upon interrogation, Olaoluwa confessed to his criminal activities and disclosed that he had been operating within the vicinity of Oye and Ayegbaju-Ekiti for some time, systematically targeting various churches. He admitted to similar thefts from other prominent churches such as the Redeemed Christian Church of God and the New Reality Christian Center, both located in Oye-Ekiti.
Further investigation into Olaoluwa’s methods revealed a sophisticated network of criminal activity. After acquiring the stolen phones, he would dispatch them to Lagos through an accomplice. Once in Lagos, the phones were sold off, and the proceeds were then transferred back to Olaoluwa via online channels.
Following his arrest, the police successfully recovered the seven phones stolen during the Christ Apostolic Church incident. Moreover, several victims have come forward to identify Olaoluwa as the perpetrator of their own phone thefts.
With the evidence mounting against him, Olaoluwa is poised to face the full force of the law. Once the ongoing investigations conclude, he will be formally charged and arraigned in court, where justice will be served for his crimes against the community.
