By Halimot Qazeem
A Lagos-based photographer, Tola, popularly associated with @eman_pictures, has appealed to members of the public for assistance in identifying an individual captured on CCTV allegedly stealing his bag containing valuable photography equipment and irreplaceable wedding photographs at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.
The incident reportedly occurred on October 31, while Tola was covering a wedding ceremony at the prestigious hotel. According to his account, the bag was stolen from inside the bride’s room, where it had been kept during the event.
The stolen bag reportedly contained a MacBook Pro M1 laptop and four external hard drives holding photographs and other materials from approximately five weddings yet to be delivered to the respective clients.
Beyond the financial value of the stolen equipment, the photographer says the incident has placed him in an extremely distressing situation, as the missing hard drives contain important memories entrusted to him by couples who had engaged his professional services to document their special occasions.
“These are not just files. They are people’s once-in-a-lifetime memories, months of hard work and my livelihood,” he lamented in an emotional public appeal.
However, there appears to be a significant breakthrough in efforts to establish what happened. Tola says CCTV recordings obtained from the hotel captured the individual allegedly involved in the theft, including footage showing the person’s entry into the premises, movements around the hotel, entry into the room where the bag was kept, and eventual departure with the stolen property.
The recordings reportedly show the individual loitering around the hotel and making what appeared to be telephone calls before proceeding to the bride’s room. Another CCTV recording allegedly captures the individual leaving the hotel with the bag.
In a bid to encourage credible information that could assist the investigation, Tola has announced a ₦500,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the individual and the recovery of his stolen belongings through the appropriate authorities.
He has urged anyone who recognises the individual from the CCTV footage, witnessed suspicious activities around the hotel on October 31, or possesses information that could assist the investigation to come forward.
Members of the public are encouraged to contact him on 09033892670 or through his social media handle, @eman_pictures.
AN APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC
The photographer has also appealed to Nigerians, particularly members of the creative industry, wedding vendors, photographers, event planners and social media users, to help circulate the CCTV footage and publicise the incident.
He is particularly concerned about the possible loss of the wedding photographs stored on the four external hard drives. For the five couples whose wedding memories are involved, the disappearance of these materials could mean losing irreplaceable records of one of the most significant days of their lives.
The appeal is therefore not simply about recovering a laptop and external drives. It is also about protecting the memories of innocent clients who had entrusted their special moments to a professional photographer.
Anyone with useful information is encouraged to share it responsibly with the photographer and the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Members of the public are also advised against confronting or attempting to apprehend anyone identified from the footage.
Tola’s message is simple: help him recover his equipment, retrieve the wedding photographs and bring the matter to the attention of the appropriate authorities.
A ₦500,000 reward awaits credible information leading to the identification of the individual and recovery of the stolen belongings.
Contact: 09033892670
Instagram/Social Media: @eman_pictures
Please share widely. Someone may recognise the individual or have information that could help reunite five couples with their precious wedding memories.
SOCIAL MEDIA PUBLIC APPEAL
URGENT: HELP LAGOS PHOTOGRAPHER RECOVER STOLEN LAPTOP AND FIVE WEDDING PROJECTS! ₦500,000 REWARD!
A Lagos photographer, Tola (@eman_pictures), urgently needs our help.
On October 31, while covering a wedding at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, his bag was allegedly stolen from inside the bride’s room.
Inside the bag were:
– A MacBook Pro M1.
– FOUR external hard drives.
– Photographs and video materials from approximately FIVE weddings awaiting delivery to clients.
The photographer has obtained CCTV footage reportedly showing the individual entering the hotel, moving around the premises, entering the bride’s room and leaving with the bag.
A ₦500,000 REWARD is being offered for credible information leading to the identification of the individual and recovery of the stolen belongings through the appropriate authorities.
Remember, these hard drives contain precious memories belonging to five couples who may otherwise lose irreplaceable records of their wedding celebrations.
If you recognise the individual in the CCTV footage or have any useful information, please contact:
09033892670
Instagram: @eman_pictures
Please SHARE this appeal widely. Your repost could make the difference between five couples losing their precious memories and getting them back.
Let’s help Tola recover his equipment, retrieve the wedding projects and bring this matter to a proper resolution.
PLEASE SHARE! EVERY REPOST COUNTS!
