Nigerian comedian Okey Bakassi has announced a ₦5 million reward for information leading to the recovery of stolen phones and the arrest of a suspected thief who infiltrated a private football gathering in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Bakassi made the disclosure in a video shared on Instagram on Thursday, recounting how the incident occurred during their regular weekly football session on Wednesday evening.
According to him, the suspect joined the game after being allowed to participate out of goodwill but later pretended to be injured and left the pitch.
“This evening, April 15, 2026, during our usual Wednesday football in Ikoyi, a young man joined us to play. Out of kindness, we allowed him to participate,” he said.
The comedian explained that while players were focused on the game, the suspect allegedly stole several phones and fled.
“He played briefly, then feigned injury and moved to the stands. While we were engrossed in the game, he carted away about eight phones and disappeared,” Bakassi added.
He noted that the stolen devices belonged to businessmen who rely heavily on their phones for daily activities, warning that the suspect might attempt to sell them quickly at low prices.
Bakassi confirmed that the incident has been reported to the police, adding that efforts are underway to track down the suspect, though specific details were withheld for security reasons.
Issuing a stern warning, he gave the suspect a 24-hour ultimatum to return the stolen items.
“If you were the one who came to play with us and chose to repay our kindness by stealing phones, we will find you—it’s only a matter of time. You have 24 hours to return the phones to the security post where you took them,” he said.
To support recovery efforts, the comedian announced a ₦5 million reward for anyone who can help trace the stolen devices.
“For anyone skilled in tracking phones, reach out to me via my DM. There is a ₦5 million reward for whoever can track any of the phones,” he added.
Bakassi also advised buyers of second-hand phones to exercise caution by verifying sellers’ identities to avoid purchasing stolen property.
The incident has since sparked reactions online, with many expressing concern over security breaches even in controlled recreational environments.
