10/09/2026
Akwa Ibom Police Arrest Suspected Serial Burglar, Recover Photographic Equipment Worth Over ₦21m
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected serial burglar and recovered photographic equipment and other items worth more than ₦21 million.
The breakthrough followed a petition received by the Command on September 3, 2026, from a photographer identified as Aniekan, who reported that his photo studio had been burgled.
According to the Police, the thieves gained access to the studio through the roof on August 24 and made away with several valuable items worth an estimated ₦13.14 million.
The stolen items included Canon and Nikon cameras, a Sony A7 Mark II camera, AD200 and AD600 studio lights, a Shaker studio light and memory cards.
Following the complaint, Police operatives launched an investigation which led to the arrest of Nicholas Olamide, a native of Ile-Ife, Osun State, who lives in Eket, Akwa Ibom, on September 7.
The Police said the suspect allegedly confessed to the burglary and helped investigators trace other suspects and recover some of the stolen property.
His information led to the arrest of Abasiakan Ikpembe of Abak Local Government Area and Edward Francis of Afaha Ube Street, Uyo. Several suspected stolen items were recovered from them.
Further investigation, according to the Police, revealed the suspect’s alleged involvement in other burglary cases across Akwa Ibom.
The Police said Olamide allegedly confessed to burgling a photo studio at No. 135 Aka Road, Uyo, between July 28 and August 5, 2026.
Items allegedly stolen from the studio included an Itel A80 phone, tripods, LED lights, Godox AD200 and AD600 studio lights, Sony A7 camera, Sony 50mm lens, Gimbal R3 Mini, photo lights, chargers, bags and a 700GB drive. The value of the items was estimated at about ₦8 million.
The suspect also allegedly confessed to entering a photo studio at Aka Estate, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, on August 25 and stealing a Canon camera and lens belonging to a man identified as Richard.
Following the information provided, Police operatives arrested another suspect, Wisdom Sunday, of Oron Road, Uyo. Some of the stolen items and other property suspected to have been stolen were recovered.
The Police said preliminary investigation indicates that the principal suspect is a repeat offender who was released from a correctional facility in June 2026. Investigators are now working to determine his possible involvement in other burglary and stealing cases in Akwa Ibom and beyond.
Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the officers involved for their swift response and intelligence-led investigation.
He assured residents that the Command would continue to target criminal networks, recover stolen property and bring those responsible for criminal activities to justice.
The Commissioner also urged business owners and members of the public to improve security around their premises and report suspicious activities to the Police.
The Command further appealed to victims of similar burglary and theft cases to come forward with relevant information or documents that could help investigators identify suspects and recover their property.
