A Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Media, Riddwane, has narrated how his stolen iPhone 17 Pro Max was successfully tracked and recovered hours after it went missing during the APC National Convention in Abuja.
The incident occurred on Friday evening at Eagle Square, where top party members and dignitaries had gathered for the event. According to Riddwane, the phone was stolen amid heavy crowd movement and tight security checks at the VVIP entrance.
He explained that confusion at multiple checkpoints—manned by security operatives including soldiers, police, and DSS personnel—created an opportunity for the theft. The device, which was in his side pocket, was discovered missing shortly after he gained access to the venue.
Despite the loss, he proceeded into the event but later used Apple’s “Find My” feature via his iPad to track the phone. The device was initially traced to Wuse Zone 6 before it was moved again the following morning.
Riddwane then contacted senior police authorities, prompting a rapid response led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Victor Geoffrey and a tactical team from the Scorpion Squad. The team, coordinated by ASP Isah Mohammed, began tracking the suspect in real time.
By late morning on Saturday, the phone’s location was pinpointed to Karu, near an NNPC filling station. Acting on the intel, the police team closed in on a group of individuals gathered at a roadside car lot.
During a coordinated search operation, the stolen iPhone was recovered from a suspect identified as Mahmoud Abdullahi. The device had been switched off but was confirmed after being powered on and unlocked by the owner.
The suspect, who reportedly claimed to be affiliated with the Nasarawa State Ministry of Justice, was immediately arrested.
Riddwane commended the professionalism and swift action of the Nigeria Police Force team, noting that their efforts led to the successful recovery of his device within hours of the theft.
