AKWA IBOM POLICE ARREST SUSPECTED SERIAL BURGLAR, RECOVER PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT WORTH OVER N21 MILLION

AKWA IBOM POLICE ARREST SUSPECTED SERIAL BURGLAR, RECOVER PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT WORTH OVER N21 MILLION

Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected serial burglar and recovered a substantial quantity of stolen property, including high-value photographic equipment.

The breakthrough followed a written petition received on 3rd September 2026 from one Aniekan, who reported that his photo studio had been burgled by unknown persons, carting away 3 sophisticated cameras, studio lights, and a box of memory cards, estimated at over 13 million naira.

According to a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officers, Timfon John, Police operatives commenced discreet investigation and intelligence-led follow-up, which culminated in the arrest of one Nicholas Olamide, a native of Ibogi, Ile-Ife, Osun State, who resides in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to his involvement in the reported burglary and subsequently led investigators to the locations of other suspects and suspected stolen property.

His disclosures led the operatives to Abasiakan Ikpembe of Abak Local Government Area and Edward Francis of Afaha Ube Street, Uyo, where several of the stolen items, alongside other articles reasonably suspected to have been stolen, were recovered.

Following sustained interrogation, the principal suspect disclosed his involvement in additional burglary and stealing incidents within Uyo and other parts of Akwa Ibom State, with several photography items recovered.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the principal suspect was recently released from the correctional facility in June 2026, while Investigators are currently working to establish his possible involvement in other similar burglary and stealing cases within and outside the State.

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the operatives for their swift response, intelligence gathering and professional handling of the investigation, reiterating the Command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks, recovering stolen property and ensuring that perpetrators of all forms of criminality are brought to justice.