The recent surge in device thefts at technology summits has raised significant concerns among stakeholders in the industry.
They said technology gatherings have become hotspots not only for networking and learning but also for opportunists looking to capitalise on the distracted environment of attendees.
The founder of Blockchain Nigeria User Group, Chimezie Chuta, recently highlighted this trend after his iPhone XS Max was stolen during the summit.
In a LinkedIn post shared on Monday, Chuta revealed that his phone was stolen at an event.
He added that despite efforts to track it, he had been unable to recover the device.
Chuta noted that CCTV footage captured the individual who made away with the phone, but the poor quality of the recording had made identification difficult.
“The footage is not very helpful, but those who know him can easily recognise him,” he said.
Using the FindMy app, Chuta tracked the phone to Popo Street in Yaba, Lagos, an area he described as notorious for stolen goods.
However, his attempt to retrieve the phone was unsuccessful.
Despite reaching the exact location indicated by the app, he was unable to recover the phone.
While he had gotten a replacement, Chuta remained concerned about the sensitive data stored on his device, particularly as a Web3 and crypto expert.
Chuta was seeking advice from the public on how best to handle the situation.
He was considering going live on social media to gather opinions but expressed reluctance to involve the Nigerian police, stating, “I do not have energy for drama!”
He also hinted at potentially using the CCTV footage to publicly shame the thief if more effective recovery strategies fail.
Industry experts have echoed Chuta’s sentiments, saying that those thefts were not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern affecting tech gatherings.
The founder of Cyberchain, Jude Ozinegbe, recounted a similar incident from 2019 when a laptop was stolen during an event he organised.
“It was left unattended for less than five minutes, and before we knew it, someone had picked it up and was heading for the exit gate,” he recalled.
The theft occurred in a blind spot where CCTV coverage was inadequate. Fortunately, another attendee spotted the thief and alerted security, leading to the laptop’s recovery, he narrated.
Ozinegbe stated, “The data inside is more important than the plastic,” highlighting the need for stringent security measures.
Fintech consultant David Alozie shared his harrowing experience tracking down a stolen iPhone in an uncompleted building inhabited by a group of men.
“At first, they all denied it, but one of their respectable elders stepped in and did some kind of dreaded traditional swearing that the perpetrator would die if he didn’t confess,” Alozie explained.
The increasing frequency of such incidents has led stakeholders to call for enhanced security measures at tech events.
Many are advocating for better surveillance systems, clearer security protocols, and a more vigilant staff presence during gatherings.
Also, the need for attendees to be aware of their surroundings has been emphasised as a crucial factor in preventing theft.