A 29-year-old man (name withheld), on Tuesday told officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Dutse, Jigawa that he had stolen more than 500 cell phones before his arrest.
The suspect was arrested on Monday at Dutse Central Mosque while attempting to steal a cell phone.
The NSCDC Commandant in the State, Mr Muhammad Gidado, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse that the suspect was a member of a gang that allegedly specialises in stealing telephone handsets in Dutse and environs.
According to him, the gang has been snatching phones from residents of the area for long.
He alleged that members of the group “snatch phones at mosque, wedding or naming ceremonies and other social gatherings”.
Gidado said the suspect would soon be arraigned in court after the conclusion of investigations.