The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested four suspects over the alleged theft of photographic equipment worth N21 million from studios in the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Uyo, saying one of the suspects, identified as Nicholas Olamide, confessed to his involvement in the theft and led investigators to other suspects and locations where some of the stolen items were recovered.
John said the owner of one of the affected studios, identified as Aniekan, reported that his photo studio was burgled by unknown persons who gained access through the roof.
She said 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, valued at N13.14 million.
‘Acting swiftly on the complaint, Police operatives commenced 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,’ she stated.
According to her, Olamide allegedly confessed during interrogation and subsequently led investigators to Abasiakan Ikpembe of Abak Local Government Area and Edward Francis, ‘M’, of Afaha Ube Street, Uyo.
‘His disclosures led the operatives to Abasiakan Ikpembe of Abak Local Government Area and Edward Francis, ‘M’, of Afaha Ube Street, Uyo, where several of the stolen items, alongside other articles reasonably suspected to have been stolen, were recovered,’ John stated.
The police spokesperson said further investigation showed that Olamide was allegedly involved in other burglary and stealing incidents in Uyo and other parts of Akwa Ibom.
She said he allegedly burgled a photo studio at No. 135 Aka Road, Uyo, between July 28 and August 5, 2026, and stole photographic equipment and accessories estimated at N8 million.
The stolen items 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.
John added that the suspect allegedly stole a Canon camera and lens belonging to one Richard from a photo studio at Aka Estate, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, on August 25.