‘Mentally unstable’ man arrested with ’27 SIM cards’ in Lagos

Operatives of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LSNC) have arrested Godwin, a “mentally unstable man”, with 27 SIM cards.

In a statement, LNSC said Godwin, who claimed to hail from Ughelli in Delta state, was under surveillance for a month.

Some residents of Epe reported his suspicious behaviour, prompting the arrest. He reportedly sheltered in an abandoned security post.

Godwin was seen changing clothes daily and making late night calls, raising suspicions.

On May 5, during a routine patrol, operatives searched the post when Godwin was away.

They found 27 registered SIM cards hidden in a wall. He was arrested upon return and interrogated.

He confirmed his identity but refused to disclose the locations of the phones linked to the SIM cards. A local food vendor noted his erratic yet occasionally coherent behaviour.

Oloruntoba Runsewe, LSNC’s spokesperson, said Godwin was handed to the police for investigation.

Benjamin Hundeyin, Lagos state police public relations officer, confirmed the arrest.

“There is no evidence to point to the fact that he is a kidnapper. The claim is for now baseless,” Hundeyin said.

“Our preliminary investigation so far shows that he is a bit mentally unstable and he is homeless.”