22-year-old resident of Ovom Community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Mr David Kalizibe, has been arrested by operatives of the State Volunteers Security Outfit.
Kalizibe was arrested following his alleged involvement in a phone theft syndicate operating in the Tombia axis of Yenagoa.
The 22-year-old was accused of being part of a criminal network that specialises in burglary of phone shops across the Bayelsa State capital.
The suspect was accused of breaking into a phone charging shop located at Etegwe, Fido Street on May 15, 2026.
According to preliminary investigations, he supposedly carted away three high-value mobile phones, which were said to have been captured on the shop’s Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) camera.
Kalizibe was apprehended on Saturday, July 4, 2026, after he allegedly returned to the same shop in an attempt to carry out another theft.
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The shop owner’s son reportedly recognized him from the CCTV footage and immediately alerted security operatives, who swiftly arrested him. Authorities said the suspect was wearing the same clothes seen in the footage recorded during the earlier burglary.
The state volunteer security outfit noted that, ” according to preliminary investigations, the suspect allegedly broke into a phone charging shop located at Etegwe, Fido Street on May 15th, 2026 making away with three expensive mobile phones. His actions were captured by the shop’s Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) camera, which provided investigators with crucial evidence.
“Luck, however, ran out on him when he reportedly returned to the same shop on Friday morning, allegedly intending to strike again. Unknown to him, operatives of the Bayelsa State Volunteers had been tracking his movements since the earlier incident.
“The son of the shop owner recognized the suspect and immediately raised an alarm, leading to his swift arrest by members of the Volunteer Security Outfit.
“His arrest was further aided by the fact that he was wearing the same shirt and trousers seen in the CCTV footage during the earlier burglary.
“During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime and disclosed that he sold the stolen phones to a buyer, popularly known as Mallam, residing in the Hausa Quarters of Yenizuegene, and the Mallam was also arrested immediately.
“At the time of his arrest, the suspect (David Kalizibe) was also found in possession of two mobile phones, which he allegedly confessed were stolen from Amassoma under similar circumstances.”
Meanwhile, as part of efforts to recover the stolen property and reunite it with its rightful owner, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Volunteers, High Chief Oyinkuro Lucky Asanakpo, contacted the owner of the two phones stolen from Amassoma.
Asanakpo assured that the suspect and any other persons arrested in connection with the case will be handed over to the Nigeria Police Force upon the conclusion of preliminary investigations for further investigation and prosecution.
He urged residents of Yenagoa to remain vigilant by monitoring the movement of suspicious persons, particularly at night, even as he emphasized that security is a collective responsibility and called on members of the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information.
The chief also warned landlords against harbouring individuals without any visible means of livelihood, stressing that community vigilance remains essential in the fight against crime.
He further reaffirmed the commitment of the Bayelsa State Volunteers to supporting the Prosperity Administration of Governor Douye Diri in making Bayelsa a crime-free state through intelligence gathering, proactive policing, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
