Here’ a tighter, newspaper-style version suitable for BANNERNEWS.
Headline:
By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested the Supervisor for Internal Security in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, Mr. Idara Martins Okure, over the alleged theft of two expensive mobile phones from a customer inside a Zenith Bank branch along Oron Road, Uyo.
Police sources said the suspect confessed to stealing the devices following an investigation aided by digital tracking that led detectives from the stolen phones to a buyer and eventually to the local government official.
The incident reportedly occurred after the victim, who had gone to transact business at the bank, was asked by bank officials to briefly move his vehicle. Believing his belongings were safe, he left a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and a Tecno Camon 30S on his seat. On returning minutes later, he discovered that both phones had disappeared.
Witnesses reportedly told investigators that the man seated beside the victim had quietly left the banking hall before the theft was discovered. Although the bank immediately ordered a lockdown of the premises, the suspect had already exited.
The victim reported the incident to the police, who tracked one of the stolen phones to a new user. Investigators arrested the user, who disclosed that the device had been given to him by his father, Mr. Ubong Udofot.
During interrogation, Udofot allegedly admitted purchasing the Tecno phone from Mr. Martins for ₦100,000 and subsequently led detectives to the local government official. Police said Martins later confessed to stealing both phones.
The suspect remains in police custody while investigations are being concluded. Authorities are expected to arraign him before a competent court upon completion of the investigation.
The incident has sparked public outrage, with many questioning the integrity of an official entrusted with internal security responsibilities. As of press time, neither Zenith Bank nor the Nsit Ibom Local Government Council had issued an official statement on the matter.
