Popular Nigerian comedian, Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule, popularly known as Okey Bakassi, has offered a ₦5 million reward for information leading to the recovery of stolen phones and the arrest of a suspected thief who allegedly infiltrated a private football gathering in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Bakassi disclosed this in a video shared via his Instagram page on Thursday, narrating how the incident occurred during their routine weekly football session.
Recounting the incident, the comedian said the suspect, whose identity remains unknown, joined the group’s Wednesday evening football game out of goodwill extended to him by the players.
“This evening, 15th of April 2026, where we play football every Wednesday evening in Ikoyi, a young man came to play with us. Out of our own kindness, we allowed him to join us,” he said.
He explained that after playing briefly, the suspect pretended to be injured and left the pitch, a move that later raised suspicion.
Bakassi alleged that while the players were engrossed in the game, the suspect seized the opportunity to steal multiple mobile phones belonging to participants.
“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. Took about eight handsets and disappeared,” he said.
He added that the stolen phones belong to businessmen whose daily activities depend heavily on their devices, raising concerns over the impact of the theft.
NOP NIGERIA reports that the comedian disclosed that the matter has already been reported to the police, while efforts are ongoing to track down the suspect.
However, he noted that details of the tracking process would not be made public for security reasons.
Issuing a direct warning to the suspect, Bakassi gave a 24-hour ultimatum for the return of the stolen items.
“If you’re the one who came out this evening to play with us and you feel that the way to pay us back is to cart away phones and vanish, we will find you. It will only take time. In your best interest, you have the next 24 hours to return those phones back to the security post where you took them from,” he warned.
To aid recovery, Bakassi announced a cash reward for anyone who can help track the stolen devices or provide useful information.
“For everyone else who knows how to track phones, contact me in my DM. There’s a five million naira waiting for whoever can track any one of those phones,” he added.
He also cautioned members of the public, particularly buyers of second-hand phones, to exercise due diligence when making purchases.
Bakassi advised that buyers should request valid identification and proper documentation from sellers to avoid unknowingly acquiring stolen devices.
