Loading ...OWERRI, IMO STATE — In a bold bid to secure justice following a devastating commercial burglary, a prominent local cleric and business owner has placed a ₦2 million bounty on a suspect captured by surveillance footage during a high-stakes robbery in the Imo State capital.
Senior Pastor Okezie James Atañi, who announced the reward via social media, revealed that his commercial outlet in Owerri was targeted by a syndicate of thieves who carted away solar energy equipment valued at over ₦100 million.
The Surveillance Breakthrough
According to accounts provided by Pastor Atañi, the criminal elements targeted the facility with calculated intent, identifying security vulnerabilities upon arrival. The suspects immediately attempted to neutralize the property’s surveillance apparatus.
“When they arrived, the first thing they did was try to dismantle the CCTV camera outside my shop,” Atañi stated. “Unfortunately for them, the camera had already captured the face of one of them before they tampered with it.”
Despite the partial destruction of the security system, the retrieved digital footprint successfully archived a clear image of one of the alleged perpetrators. This footage has now become the focal point of a public appeal and ongoing security investigations.
Economic Implications for Regional Commerce
The ₦100 million heist highlights a worrying trend of high-value commercial burglaries targeting critical infrastructure sectors, such as renewable energy, in the southeast. Industry analysts note that theft of solar technology components—which have surged in value due to national grid instabilities and rising alternative energy demands—presents a lucrative market for criminal syndicates.
For local entrepreneurs, an asset loss of this magnitude represents a severe economic blow that threatens business continuity and local employment. “Losing goods worth over ₦100 million is not something anyone prays for,” Atañi remarked, emphasizing the profound impact of the crime.
Public Appeal and Investigation
The victim has appealed to members of the public, particularly residents of Owerri and neighboring communities in Imo State, to assist law enforcement agencies in identifying the individual from the security footage.
The ₦2 million reward is guaranteed for credible, verifiable information that directly leads to the location, identification, and subsequent arrest of the suspect.
Public Notice: Financial compensation and strict confidentiality have been promised to any whistleblowers. Information can be channeled privately to the affected party or reported directly to the nearest station of the Nigeria Police Force or relevant state security agencies.
As of press time, formal statements regarding the progress of the investigation from the Imo State Police Command are still being awaited.
