Police nab serial burglar, recover N21m photo equipment in Akwa Ibom

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The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected serial burglar and recovered photographic equipment and other valuables worth over N21m, allegedly stolen from photo studios in the state.

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The command said the breakthrough followed a written petition received on September 3, 2026, from one Aniekan, who reported that his photo studio had been burgled by unknown persons who gained access through the roof.

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The police disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John.

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According to the police, “The incident was discovered on 24th August 2026, and several valuable items were reportedly carted away.”

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The stolen items included a Canon 6D Mark II camera, Nikon D850 camera, Sony A7 Mark II camera, AD200 studio light, AD600 studio light, Shaker studio light and a box of memory cards, with the total value estimated at N13.14m.

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The command said, “Acting swiftly on the complaint, Police operatives commenced a discreet investigation and intelligence-led follow-up, which culminated in the arrest, on 7th September 2026, of one Nicholas Olamide, ‘M’, a native of Ibogi, Ile-Ife, Osun State, who resides in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.”

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The police further stated that during interrogation, Olamide “allegedly confessed to his involvement in the reported burglary and subsequently led investigators to the locations of other suspects and suspected stolen property.”

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His disclosures, according to the command, led to the arrest of Abasiakan Ikpembe of Abak Local Government Area and Edward Francis of Afaha Ube Street, Uyo, while several of the stolen items and other articles “reasonably suspected to have been stolen” were recovered.

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The police said further interrogation revealed the suspect’s alleged involvement in other burglary and stealing incidents across the state.

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According to the statement, Olamide allegedly admitted that between July 28 and August 5, 2026, he burgled a photo studio located at No. 135 Aka Road, Uyo, and stole various photographic equipment and accessories valued at approximately N8m.

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The items reportedly included an Itel A80 mobile phone, tripods, LED light tripod, bracket, Godox AD200 and AD600 studio lights, Godox speedlight, Godox triggers, Sony A7 camera, Sony 50mm lens, Gimbal R3 Mini, photo lights, make-up bag, AD600 bag, speedlight bag, 700GB drive and AD600 chargers.

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The command added that the suspect “further allegedly confessed that on 25th August 2026, he entered a photo studio at Aka Estate, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, and stole a Canon camera and lens belonging to one Richard.”

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Following the information, police operatives traced and arrested another suspect, identified as Wisdom Sunday, of Oron Road, Uyo.

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The police said, “Some of the stolen items, as well as other property reasonably suspected to be stolen, were recovered from the location.”

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The command also said preliminary investigation indicated that the principal suspect was “allegedly a repeat offender who was recently released from the correctional facility in June 2026.”

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It added that investigators were working to establish his possible involvement in other similar burglary and stealing cases within and outside Akwa Ibom State.

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The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Azare, commended the operatives for their “swift response, intelligence gathering and professional handling of the investigation.”

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Azare reiterated the command’s commitment to “dismantling criminal networks, recovering stolen property and ensuring that perpetrators of burglary, stealing and other forms of criminality are brought to justice.”

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He urged members of the public, particularly owners of businesses and valuables, to remain vigilant, strengthen the security of their premises and promptly report suspicious movements and criminal activities to the police.

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The command also appealed to victims of similar burglary and theft incidents to come forward with relevant information or documentation to assist investigators in identifying and recovering their property.

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