Sahara Reporters has taken to its official X handle formally Twitter and announced that, In a dramatic twist to a theft that had stirred public outrage, the Nigerian Police Force has returned the AI-powered Ray-Ban Meta smart eyeglasses belonging to human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, weeks after they were brazenly stolen during a mass protest in Abuja.
Sowore confirmed the recovery on Tuesday, announcing on his social media platforms:
> “Today, the Nigeria Police Force returned my stolen Ray-Ban Meta eyeglasses, stolen by the National Thief, Aku Victor Chiemerie, to me.”
The incident dates back to July 21, 2025, when Sowore, alongside retired police officers, gathered at the Force Headquarters—also known as Louis Edet House—to stage a peaceful protest demanding improved welfare packages and retirement benefits for officers.
During the rally, a shocking scene unfolded. A video recording captured a police cameraman, later identified as Aku Victor Chiemerie, stealthily removing Sowore’s high-tech glasses before vanishing into the crowd. The cameraman was attached to the office of the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
The stolen eyewear was no ordinary accessory. Beyond serving as prescription glasses, they were embedded with cutting-edge artificial intelligence capabilities and contained sensitive private data—making the theft not just a case of common larceny but a potential breach of personal security.
In the aftermath, Sowore filed two formal petitions through his legal team, Tope Temokun Chambers—one to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) and another to the Divisional Police Station in Asokoro, Abuja. The case quickly drew attention from civil society groups, with the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) demanding a transparent and impartial investigation.
The brazen act took on a bizarre twist when Chiemerie deactivated his Facebook account under the alias “Vyktur McEntire Akunamatata” after Sowore publicly named him, though not before several of his photos were captured and archived.
At the time, Sowore vowed there would be no cover-up, declaring:
> “The search for this national thief continues. No amount of hiding, deleting, or shielding will protect him from full accountability for his actions.”
While the police have now returned the stolen glasses, questions linger over the internal discipline process and whether the rogue cameraman will face full legal consequences for his actions.
For now, the activist’s prized AI eyewear is back where it belongs—but the incident has ignited a wider debate about accountability, integrity, and professionalism within Nigeria’s law enforcement ranks.
PIONEER NEWS 