‘Police said Olamide allegedly admitted that between July 28 and August 5, 2026, he broke into a photo studio at No. 135 Aka Road, Uyo and made away with equipment including 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. The value of items stolen in that incident was estimated at approximately N8 million’
By Ime Silas
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command says it has arrested a suspected serial burglar and recovered photographic equipment valued at over N21 million, in what it describes as a major breakthrough in the fight against burglary and theft across the state.
The arrest followed a petition received on September 3, 2026, from a photographer identified as Aniekan, who reported that his photo studio was broken into through the roof. The incident, according to the petitioner, was discovered on August 24, 2026.
Items stolen in that single operation included a Canon 6D Mark II camera, Nikon D850 camera, Sony A7 Mark II camera, AD200 and AD600 studio lights, Shaker studio light and a box of memory cards. The total estimated value of the stolen property was put at N13,140,000.
Confirming the development in a press statement signed on September 10, 2026 by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the Command said operatives launched a discreet, intelligence-led investigation immediately after the report was filed.
The investigation led to the arrest of one Nicholas Olamide, male, a native of Ibogi in Ile-Ife, Osun State, who resides in Eket, Akwa Ibom State. He was picked up on September 7, 2026.
According to the police, during interrogation the suspect allegedly confessed to the burglary and volunteered information that helped investigators trace other persons linked to the crime.
Acting on his disclosures, operatives moved to Abasiakan Ikpembe in Abak Local Government Area and to Edward Francis of Afaha Ube Street, Uyo. At those locations, police said they recovered several of the stolen items, as well as other articles reasonably suspected to have been stolen.
The Command disclosed that further questioning revealed the suspect’s alleged involvement in other burglary incidents within Uyo and other parts of the state.
Police said Olamide allegedly admitted that between July 28 and August 5, 2026, he broke into a photo studio at No. 135 Aka Road, Uyo and made away with equipment including 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. The value of items stolen in that incident was estimated at approximately N8 million.
The suspect also allegedly confessed to another burglary on August 25, 2026 at a photo studio in Aka Estate, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, where he reportedly stole a Canon camera and lens belonging to one Richard.
Following the new leads, operatives traced and arrested another suspect, identified as Wisdom Sunday, male, of No. 166 Oron Road, Uyo. Police said some of the stolen items, along with other property reasonably suspected to be stolen, were recovered from his premises.
Preliminary investigation further indicates that the principal suspect is a repeat offender who was released from a correctional facility in June 2026. The Command said investigators are working to establish whether he was involved in other similar burglary and stealing cases within and outside Akwa Ibom State.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, commended the operatives for their swift response and professional handling of the case.
He reiterated the Command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks, recovering stolen property, and ensuring that perpetrators of burglary and other crimes face prosecution.
CP Azare also urged business owners and members of the public to remain vigilant and to strengthen security around their premises. He called on anyone who may have fallen victim to similar burglary or theft incidents to come forward with relevant information or documentation to assist investigators in identifying and recovering property.
The police said investigations are ongoing.
