The shop owner reported that Miss Ogbonna allegedly stole items and phones from his shop, totalling over N29 million
Salesgirl Arrested for Stealing Cash, Phones Worth Over N29million, Rents House for Boyfriend
The Niger State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old woman, Sarah Ogbonna, for allegedly stealing mobile phones and cash worth over N29 million from a shop where she worked as a salesgirl at the Obasanjo Commercial Complex in Minna.
Police said the suspect, who lives on Okada Road in Minna, allegedly used part of the stolen money to rent and furnish an apartment for her boyfriend, Samuel Bello, in the Sauka-Kauta area of the city. Bello is currently at large. She was also said to have transferred additional funds to him.
During interrogation, Sarah reportedly confessed to the theft and disclosed that she took part in a weekly online financial contribution of N150,000.
Her elder sister, 30-year-old Mercy Ogbonna, was also arrested for allegedly receiving multiple transfers from Sarah to address family expenses, including house rent, food, and other necessities.
Two other suspects were picked up in connection with the case: 23-year-old Ruth Emmanuel, another salesgirl who allegedly participated in the theft before resigning, and 32-year-old Nurudeen Musa, a trader at the Obasanjo Complex accused of receiving stolen phones from Sarah and reselling them at giveaway prices.
According to the state’s police spokesperson, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, the arrests followed a report filed on August 8, 2025, by the shop owner, a phone dealer at the complex.
“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 she wouldn’t know if what she had taken so far could amount to N29 million, but a sum of N700,000 was immediately recovered from her,” Abiodun said.
He added that Sarah’s confession led to the arrest of her accomplices on August 9.
Recovered items from Sarah’s residence include two power generators, one smart TV, a freezer, four wigs reportedly worth N500,000 each, a gas cylinder, shoes, canvas, bags, clothes, and various household furniture.
Police said investigations are ongoing, while efforts are underway to track down Bello and other possible accomplices. Read More
