Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Bayelsa State Volunteer Security Outfit (BVSO) has apprehended a 20-year-old man, Frank Ekewei, in connection with the burglary of a church in the Etegwe area of Yenagoa, the state capital. Ekewei was arrested on the morning of Saturday, May 23, 2026, following a robbery at the Glorified Ambassadors For Christ Assembly, located along NIT Road, Etegwe. According to a statement by the security outfit, the suspect, an indigene of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area who resides along Deeper Life Road in the Okutukutu area of Yenagoa, was intercepted around 11 a.m. on the same day along the Etegwe Roundabout axis of Melford Okilo Road while in possession of the stolen items.
The incident unfolded in the early hours of Saturday, May 23, 2026. The Overseer of the church, Bishop Patterson Kikile, told investigators that two suspects arrived at the church premises around 3:30 a.m., forced their way in through the back door, and carted away a 32‑inch Hisense television and a 50‑inch Hisense television. A concerned citizen who noticed the suspicious activity raised a distress call, prompting operatives of the BVSO to activate their detective unit and begin an immediate investigation. The swift response led to Ekewei being flagged down and searched along the Etegwe Roundabout axis, where the two Hisense televisions were found in his possession.
During interrogation conducted by the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Volunteer Security Outfit, Oyinkuro Lucky Asanakpo, the suspect confessed to the crime and provided additional details about the operation. According to the statement released on Monday, May 25, 2026, Ekewei disclosed that he was lured into the robbery gang by an accomplice identified only as “Mr. Miracle,” said to be from Benin, Edo State, who remains at large. The suspect reportedly expressed willingness to cooperate with security operatives and pledged to provide information that could help track down the fleeing accomplice.
The volunteer security outfit has since handed over the suspect and the recovered items to “Operation Doo Akpo,” a joint security task force, for further investigation and possible prosecution. As of the time of this report, no court date has been set, and the identity of the second suspect, Mr. Miracle, has not been officially confirmed by law enforcement.
The incident has drawn attention to the growing activities of the Bayelsa State Volunteer Security Outfit, which was established to assist the police in tackling crimes such as burglary, robbery and vandalism in the state. This is not the first time the BVSO has recorded a notable arrest. In April 2026, the outfit had arrested several suspects in connection with pipeline vandalism and illegal oil bunkering in the state, demonstrating its ongoing role in supporting federal and state security agencies.
The church, Glorified Ambassadors For Christ Assembly, has since confirmed that the stolen items have been recovered and are in safe custody pending the conclusion of the investigation. Bishop Patterson Kikile expressed appreciation to the volunteer security outfit for its rapid response, noting that the intervention prevented the suspects from escaping with the church’s property. He also called on other members of the public to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activities to the nearest security agency.
Frank Ekewei, 20, remains in custody as of Monday, May 25, 2026. He is expected to face charges of burglary and theft, which are punishable under the Criminal Code of Bayelsa State. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have indicated that more arrests may be made as they pursue leads on the fleeing accomplice, Mr. Miracle.
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