A Supervisor for Internal Security in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, Mr. Idara Martins Okure, has reportedly been arrested by the police over the alleged theft of two mobile phones belonging to a customer at a Zenith Bank branch along Oron Road, Uyo.
The arrest came barely days after Governor Umo Eno launched a statewide grassroots security initiative that integrated 2,272 Village Youth Presidents into Akwa Ibom’s community security architecture and directed all local government councils to appoint Security Supervisors to coordinate intelligence gathering and community policing.
According to reports circulating on social media on Monday, the incident occurred after the owner of the phones — a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and a Tecno Camon 30S — temporarily left his seat in the banking hall to repark his vehicle at the request of bank officials, leaving the devices behind.
On returning, the customer reportedly discovered that both phones had disappeared. Witnesses were said to have informed him that the man seated beside him, later identified as Mr. Okure, had also left the banking hall.
Sources disclosed that the bank immediately activated internal security measures and temporarily restricted movement within the premises after suspecting the alleged culprit was still inside. However, it was later discovered that he had already left the bank.
The matter was subsequently reported to the police, who reportedly tracked one of the missing devices using digital technology. Investigators allegedly discovered that the Tecno Camon 30S had been sold for N100,000 to one Mr. Ubong Udofot, who reportedly presented it to his son as a gift.
Police sources said the phone was eventually traced to the son, who informed investigators that his father had given it to him. Mr. Udofot was thereafter invited for questioning and allegedly told detectives he bought the phone from Mr. Okure before assisting officers in locating the suspect.
Mr. Okure is currently in police custody while investigations continue. However, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the incident, while no formal charge had been filed against the suspect as of the time of filing this report.
The incident has attracted widespread attention because the suspect reportedly serves as Supervisor for Internal Security in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, Governor Umo Eno’s home council, under the recently strengthened grassroots security initiative.
At the inauguration of the programme, Governor Eno had warned that appointments into the community security structure would not shield anyone involved in criminal activities from prosecution.
“If you think becoming a Village Youth President will shield you from accountability while engaging in criminal acts, then you are mistaken. This responsibility demands integrity, vigilance and commitment to the protection of your people,” the governor had said.
Efforts to obtain official comments from the Akwa Ibom State Police Command and Nsit Ibom Local Government Council were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
