Man posing as mentally ill caught with 27 SIM cards in Lagos; police investigating.

Operatives of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) have apprehended a man identified as Godwin, who was allegedly posing as a mentally unstable person, while in possession of 27 SIM cards.

According to a statement obtained by PUNCH Metro on Tuesday, the suspect identified himself as a native of Ughelli Local Government Area in Delta State. The agency noted that Godwin had been under close surveillance for more than a month due to concerns raised by residents in the Epe area of Lagos over his suspicious behaviour.

The LNSC revealed that Godwin had been living in an abandoned security post near the T-junction in Epe. Residents observed that he routinely changed his clothes discreetly each morning and was frequently seen engaging in phone conversations late at night, prompting suspicions about his activities.

Following a tip-off, operatives from the Epe command, while on a routine patrol on Monday, discovered that the suspect was not present at his usual location. Acting on this development, the team conducted a thorough search of the security post and uncovered 27 registered SIM cards concealed within a section of a block wall.

The agency further stated that on May 5, officers were again informed by locals that Godwin was temporarily away from the area. The patrol team moved swiftly to search the premises and confirmed the earlier discovery of the SIM cards. Upon his return, the suspect was immediately apprehended.

During interrogation, Godwin confirmed his identity and provided details of his background. However, he refused to disclose the whereabouts of any mobile phones that might be connected to the SIM cards.

Additionally, a local food vendor supported the residents’ claims, describing the suspect as someone who often displayed normal mental awareness despite his dishevelled appearance and unusual lifestyle.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the agency, Oloruntoba Runsewe, stated that the suspect had been handed over to the police for further investigation. “He is no longer in our custody. He has been handed over to the police,” she said.

Confirming the arrest, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said, “Our preliminary investigation so far shows that he is a bit mentally unstable and he is homeless, and there is no evidence to point to the fact that he is a kidnapper. The claim is for now baseless.”