Police arrest salesgirl for allegedly stealing N29m worth of phones

The Niger State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old salesgirl, Sarah Ogbonna, for allegedly stealing mobile phones and accessories valued at over ₦29 million from a shop in Minna.

Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Monday. He explained that the case was reported to “A” Division on August 8 by the shop owner, whose business is located at the Obasanjo Complex in Minna.

According to police reports, the suspect was employed to manage the phone shop but allegedly took advantage of her position to cart away the expensive items. Investigations are ongoing to determine how the theft was carried out and whether she had accomplices.

“On 8th August, 2025, at about 12pm, a report was received at ‘A’ Div Minna from a shop owner at Obasanjo Complex, Minna, who deals in phone business.

“The report indicated that his salesgirl, one Sarah Ogbonna, 23 years of Okada road, Minna, was suspected to have been stealing items/phones from his shop entrusted to her.

“He alleged that she had stolen items worth over twenty-nine million naira from the shop,” Abiodun said.

The police spokesman noted that operatives immediately arrested Sarah and stated that during interrogation, Ogbonna said she had been working in the shop since 2023, and she didn’t know if what she had taken so far could amount to twenty-nine million naira.

According to him, Sarah’s statement led to the arrest of three accomplices on August 9.

They include 23-year-old Ruth Omor Emmanuel, of Tunga, Minna; 30-year-old Mercy Ogbonna, of Okada road; and 32-year-old Nurudeen Musa, 32, of Obasanjo Complex, Minna.

“Further investigation revealed that Sarah made multiple transfers of money to her senior sister, Mercy Ogbonna, who sorts out family challenges on her behalf, such as payment of house rents, purchase of food items and other needs for the families.

“Ruth Emmanuel was also a salesgirl in the shop, and she allegedly participated in some of the acts before she left, while Nurudeen Musa usually collects expensive phones from Sarah and sells the phones at giveaway prices, rendering short payments for a long period of time,” Abiodun said.

The police further revealed that Sarah had rented and furnished an apartment at the Sauka-Kauta area of Minna for her boyfriend, one Samuel Abiodun Bello, who is currently at large.

“She also transferred some money to him and equally claimed that she engaged in a weekly financial contribution of one hundred and fifty thousand naira with a yet to be identified online group,” the PPRO added.

Abiodun said all suspects are under investigation, while several items were recovered from Sarah.

“The following items were recovered from her: two power generators, one smart TV, one freezer, four wigs of five hundred thousand naira each, one gas cylinder, shoes, canvas, bags, clothes, house furniture and other items,” Abiodun said.

(Punch)