The police have arrested a Nigerien , Abdullahi Ali , who allegedly specialises in altering the International Mobile Equipment Identity number of stolen mobile phones .
Ali , 29 , from Maradi , Niger Republic , said he used apps to alter the IMEI of phones , adding that he learnt the skill from some persons.
The IMEI is a unique set of 15 -digit numbers to identify GSM phones and can be used to track stolen phones and to lock them out of the networks.
Ali was among 108 suspected kidnappers , gunrunners , armed robbers , drug traffickers and bandits arrested by the Intelligence Response Team and paraded by the force spokesman , DCP Frank Mba , in Abuja on Wednesday .
The 29 – year- old , who spoke in Hausa , stated that he used his laptop to alter the IMEI numbers of phones .
“I was taught how to change phone IMEI numbers by some people and I also repair and sell phones and chargers ,” he explained through an interpreter.
The suspect was prevented by the police from giving more details of his activities , stating that the case was still under investigation.
