Popular Nigerian comedian Okey Bakassi has offered a similar of ₦5 million reward for credible information that could help in the recovery of multiple mobile phones stolen during a private football session in Ikoyi, Lagos.
New Telegraph gathered that the theft reportedly took place on Wednesday evening, raising fresh security concerns even in controlled recreational settings.
According to sources privy to the development, participants at the gathering were said to have been caught off guard by the incident.
In a video posted on Instagram, Bakassi explained that the suspect had been permitted to join their regular football game, which takes place weekly, as a gesture of goodwill.
He recounted that the individual initially took part in the game before allegedly pretending to sustain an injury and stepping away from the pitch.
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“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 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.
Bakassi disclosed that the stolen phones belonged to business professionals who rely heavily on their devices for daily operations.
He confirmed that the case has been reported to law enforcement authorities, who have since begun an investigation.
Calling for cooperation while issuing a warning to the suspect, he stated: “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 further appealed to the public for assistance in tracking the devices, adding: “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.”
Bakassi also urged caution among buyers, particularly within the second-hand phone market, advising them to verify the origin of devices before purchase, as stolen items are often resold at lower prices.
