Lagos photographer recovers stolen bag after viral CCTV footage

Lagos-based photographer Eman Pictures recovered stolen property after offering a N500,000 reward for information leading to their return. The bag containing a MacBook Pro and four external hard drives was stolen from a bride’s room at the Oriental Hotel on October 31 while the photographer was covering a wedding. The four external hard drives held footage from five weddings, raising concerns over the potential loss of cherished memories and the photographer’s work.

In response to the incident, Eman Pictures shared a viral CCTV footage on social media, detailing the thief’s actions and offering a N500,000 reward for credible information that could lead to the recovery of the stolen belongings. The appeal quickly gained traction, with photographers, videographers, and other users sharing the footage and urging authorities to trace the missing equipment.

Eman Pictures later announced the successful recovery of the MacBook Pro and all four hard drives, although the files had been formatted. The photographer expressed gratitude to those who helped amplify the appeal, emphasizing the overwhelming support received from blogs, fellow creatives, friends, and strangers. The event planner, Ms Deeeee, confirmed the recovery of every item, stating that the formatted files could still be retrieved.