Security operatives from the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) have arrested a man identified as Godwin, who was found in possession of 27 registered SIM cards while reportedly pretending to be mentally unstable. The arrest followed more than a month of surveillance after residents reported suspicious activities in the Epe area of Lagos.
Godwin, who hails from Ughelli Local Government Area in Delta State, was discovered taking refuge in an abandoned security post near a T-junction. Residents had observed him frequently changing clothes early in the morning and engaging in late-night phone calls, behavior that raised concerns despite his disheveled appearance.
During a routine patrol on May 5, LNSC officers found Godwin absent from his usual location. Upon searching the abandoned structure, they uncovered 27 SIM cards hidden inside a block wall. Godwin was arrested shortly after he returned to the spot. While he confirmed his identity during questioning, he declined to reveal the location of any mobile phones linked to the SIM cards.
A local food vendor who interacted with Godwin noted that despite his erratic behavior, he often appeared mentally alert and coherent. Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest and said preliminary investigations suggest the man may be mentally unstable and homeless. However, he emphasized that there is currently no evidence linking Godwin to any criminal activities such as kidnapping, describing such claims as baseless.
Authorities are continuing their investigations to understand the full circumstances surrounding the case.
