A drama unfolded in Umuahia on Thursday as a suspected thief made away with a mobile phone belonging to a federal lawmaker during a high-profile burial ceremony.
The lawmaker representing Umunneochi/Isuikwuato Federal Constituency of Abia State, Amobi Ogah, reportedly lost his phone at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Umuahia, during the state burial organised in honour of late evangelist, Rev Uma Ukpai.
The incident occurred in the midst of a large gathering that included political figures, religious leaders, and members of the public who had come to pay their last respects.
Despite the heavy security presence at the venue, the suspect allegedly blended into the crowd and carried out the act without immediate detection.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the lawmaker was engaged in exchanging pleasantries with associates when the phone was quietly taken. A video that surfaced after the event appears to show the moment the suspect approached and slipped away unnoticed, taking advantage of the busy atmosphere.
Sources at the event said the crowd was tightly packed, making it easier for the suspect to move around freely without raising suspicion. The ease with which the thief reportedly navigated the venue has raised concerns about security arrangements at major public gatherings in the state.
Following the incident, Ogah appealed to members of the public for assistance. He called on anyone with useful information that could help identify and apprehend the suspect to come forward.
He also announced a cash reward of N500,000 for credible information that leads to the recovery of the phone or the arrest of the individual responsible.
The development has since sparked reactions, with some people expressing shock that such an incident could happen at a state-organised event of that scale.
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