Nigerian comedian Okey Bakassi has offered a ₦5 million reward for information leading to the recovery of several mobile phones stolen during a private football session in Ikoyi, Lagos. The veteran entertainer announced the bounty on Thursday following a security breach where an intruder allegedly exploited the group's hospitality to make away with approximately eight high-value devices.
The incident occurred on Wednesday evening during a regular weekly football gathering. According to Bakassi, the suspect approached the group and was permitted to participate in the match out of a sense of community goodwill. However, the individual allegedly feigned a physical injury shortly after the game commenced to exit the pitch and access the players' personal belongings in the stands.
"He played for a little bit and feigned injury, went to the stands to sit. While we were carried away playing football, this criminal carted away people’s phones," Bakassi stated in an emotional video address posted to his Instagram account. He noted that the victims included several businessmen whose professional livelihoods are heavily dependent on the data and connectivity provided by the stolen handsets.
The comedian has officially reported the theft to the Nigerian Police Force, noting that while law enforcement is currently tracking the suspect, certain operational details are being withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation. In a direct ultimatum issued via social media, Bakassi gave the perpetrator 24 hours to return the devices to the security post at the venue or face the full weight of the law.
To incentivise technical experts and members of the public, Bakassi confirmed the substantial cash reward for successful tracking. "There’s a five million naira waiting for whoever can track any one of those phones," he said, urging those with digital tracking capabilities to contact him privately. He further cautioned the public against purchasing second-hand devices without verified identification, warning that the suspect would likely attempt to offload the items quickly at undervalued prices.
The theft has sparked a wider conversation regarding security at recreational hubs in Lagos, highlighting how easily controlled environments can be compromised by bad actors.