The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected serial burglar and recovered photographic equipment and other valuables worth more than N21 million in connection with several burglary and stealing incidents across the state.
The Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, September 10, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John.
According to the statement, the breakthrough followed a petition received on September 3 from one Aniekan, who reported that his photo studio had been burgled by unknown persons who gained entry through the roof.
The burglary, which was discovered on August 24, resulted in the theft of several photographic equipment, including 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, with the value of the stolen items estimated at N13.14 million.
Police operatives commenced a discreet and intelligence-led investigation, which led to the arrest on September 7 of Nicholas Olamide, a male indigene of Ibogi, Ile-Ife, Osun State, residing in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.
The suspect allegedly confessed to his involvement in the burglary and subsequently led investigators to other suspects and locations where some of the stolen property were recovered.
The Police said his disclosures led to the arrest of Abasiakan Ikpembe of Abak Local Government Area and Edward Francis of Afaha Ube Street, Uyo, with several stolen items and other property suspected to have been stolen recovered from their locations.
Further investigation, according to the Command, revealed the suspect’s alleged involvement in other burglary and stealing incidents within Uyo and other parts of Akwa Ibom.
The Police said the suspect allegedly admitted that between July 28 and August 5, 2026, he burgled a photo studio at No. 135 Aka Road, Uyo, where he reportedly stole photographic equipment and accessories estimated at about N8 million.
Items allegedly stolen included an Itel A80 mobile phone, tripods, LED light tripod, Godox AD200 and AD600 studio lights, Godox speedlight, triggers, Sony A7 camera, Sony 50mm lens, Gimbal R3 Mini, photo lights, make-up bag, equipment bags, a 700GB drive and AD600 chargers.
The suspect also allegedly confessed to entering a photo studio at Aka Estate, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, on August 25, where he reportedly stole a Canon camera and lens belonging to one Richard.
Following information provided during the investigation, Police operatives traced and arrested another suspect, identified as Wisdom Sunday of No. 166 Oron Road, Uyo. Some of the stolen items and other property suspected to have been stolen were also recovered from his location.
The Command said preliminary investigation indicated that the principal suspect was allegedly a repeat offender who was released from a correctional facility in June 2026.
It added that investigation was ongoing to establish his possible involvement in other burglary and stealing cases within and outside Akwa Ibom State.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the operatives for their swift response, intelligence gathering and professional handling of the investigation.
Azare reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks, recovering stolen property and ensuring that suspected perpetrators of burglary, stealing and other crimes are brought to justice.
He urged members of the public, particularly business owners and those with valuable property, to strengthen security around their premises and promptly report suspicious movements and criminal activities to the Police.
The Command also appealed to victims of similar burglary and theft incidents to come forward with relevant information or documentation that could assist investigators in identifying and recovering their property.