Salesgirl, 23, in police net and all suspects under investigation
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Three salesgirls have been arrested by the police over alleged theft of phones and other electronics items worth N29 million from a shop in Obasanjo Complex, Minna.
Sarah Ogbonna, Ruth Emmanuel, and Mercy Ogbonna allegedly stole the goods and gave them to one Nurudeen Musa who sold them at giveaway prices.
The main suspect, Sarah Ogbonna, 23, allegedly stolen phones worth N29 million and used part of the money to solve family challenges, participate in a monetary contribution scheme, and rent an apartment for her boyfriend.
Niger Police Command spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun confirmed in a statement that all the suspects are under investigation.
“A report was received at the ‘A’ Division, Minna, from a shop owner at the Obasanjo Complex, Minna, who deals in phones. The report indicated that his salesgirl, one Sarah Ogbonna, 23 years old, of Okada Road, Minna, was suspected of having been stealing items/phones from his shop entrusted to her,” the statement said.
“He alleged that she had stolen items worth over N29m from the shop.
“Immediately the report was received, police operatives of the Division arrested the said Sarah, and during interrogation, she confessed to the allegation, stating that she had been working in the shop since 2023 and that she wouldn’t know if what she had taken so far could amount to N29m.
“But a sum of N700,000 was immediately recovered from her. Her statement led to the arrest of three other accomplices on 9th August, 2025, who are: Ruth Omor Emmanuel, 23 years, of Tunga, Minna; Mercy Ogbonna, 30 years, of Okada Road and Nurudeen Musa, 32 years of Obasanjo Complex, Minna.”
Further investigation revealed that Sarah made multiple transfers of money to her elder sister, Mercy Ogbonna, who sorts family challenges on her behalf, such as payment of house rent, purchase of food items and other needs.
“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.
“It was also revealed that Sarah rented and furnished an apartment at the Sauka-Kauta area of Minna for her boyfriend, one Samuel Abiodun Bello, currently at large, and she also transferred some money to him.
“She equally claimed that she engaged in a weekly financial contribution of N150,000 with a yet-to-be-identified online group.
“However, all suspects are under investigation, and the following items were recovered from Sarah: two power generators, one smart TV, and one freezer. Others are four wigs of N500,000 each, one gas cylinder, shoes, canvas, bags, and clothes, and house furniture etc.”
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