A recent spike in device thefts at technology summits has caused significant concern among industry stakeholders.
They say tech gatherings have become hotspots not only for networking and learning, but also for opportunists looking to take advantage of attendees’ distracting environments.
Blockchain Nigeria User Group founder Chiimezie Chuta recently highlighted this trend after his iPhone XS Max was stolen during a summit.
In a LinkedIn post shared on Monday, Chuta revealed that her phone was stolen during the event.
He added that despite tracing efforts, the device could not be recovered.
Chuta pointed out that security camera footage showed the person taking away the cellphone, but the quality of the recording was poor and it was difficult to identify the person.
“The footage isn’t very helpful, but people who know him will recognize him right away,” he says.
Using the FindMy app, Chuta tracked the phone to Popo Street in Yaba, Lagos State, an area notorious for stolen goods.
However, his attempts to retrieve the phone were unsuccessful.
Even though I reached the exact location the app showed me, I couldn’t get my phone back.
While he had a replacement, Chuta was concerned about sensitive data stored on his devices, especially as a Web3 and encryption expert.
Chuta was seeking advice from the public on how best to handle this situation.
He had considered live streaming on social media to gather opinions, but was reluctant to involve the Nigerian police, saying, “I don’t have the energy to do drama!”
He also suggested that security camera footage could be used to publicly shame thieves if more effective recovery strategies fail.
Industry experts echoed Chuta’s sentiments, saying these thefts are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern affecting technology gatherings.
Cyberchain founder Jude Ojinegbe recounted a similar incident in 2019 when his laptop was stolen during an event he organized.
“It was left there for less than five minutes, and before I knew it, someone had picked it up and was heading for the exit gate,” he recalled.
The theft occurred in a blind spot where surveillance cameras were insufficiently monitoring. Fortunately, another participant spotted the thief and alerted security, who recovered the laptop, he narrated.
“The data inside is more important than the plastic,” Ojinegbe said, stressing the need for strict security measures.
Fintech consultant David Alozi shared his harrowing experience tracking down a stolen iPhone in an unfinished building occupied by a group of men.
“At first everyone was in denial, but one of the respected elders intervened and swore a terrifying traditional oath that if the perpetrator did not confess, he would die,” Alozi explained.
The increasing frequency of such incidents is prompting stakeholders to call for increased security measures at technology events.
Many are advocating for improved surveillance systems, clearer security protocols and more careful staff presence during gatherings.
It also highlights the need for attendees to be aware of their surroundings as a key factor in preventing theft.
