Nollywood actor Stan Nze has condemned the reported theft of several mobile phones during the service of songs held in honour of late actor Alexx Ekubo, saying the incident reflects a deeper crisis of values among Nigerians.
The Nigerian entertainment industry gathered on Wednesday to pay tribute to Ekubo, who died on May 11, 2026, after a battle with kidney cancer. However, reports of missing phones at the event sparked controversy on social media, with some attendees confirming that their devices were stolen.
Speaking in a video posted after the ceremony on Thursday, Nze, who hosted the event, revealed that more than five phones were reported missing.
“I hosted my dear friend’s, my brother’s service of song last night, and it was one of the hardest things to do, but what I want to address is the fact that at that service of songs, over five phones went missing, and this I’m saying five phones because I don’t want to exaggerate,” he said.
The actor said he personally knew some of the victims, including Nollywood actress Susan Peters. Reality TV star Bamike Olawunmi-Adenibuyan, popularly known as BamBam, also confirmed that her phone was stolen. According to her, a friend and another man in her group lost their phones as well, bringing the number of missing devices linked to her group to at least three.
Nze said the situation became so alarming that organisers had to temporarily prevent guests from leaving the venue while efforts were made to locate the missing phones.
Expressing disbelief over the incident, he questioned how individuals could steal from people gathered to mourn a deceased colleague.
“It just got me thinking, how do you come to a place where people are mourning, where people are grieving and you steal from them? Okay, let’s even leave God aside, what has happened to our conscience as a people?” he said.
While acknowledging frequent complaints about insecurity, killings and poor governance in the country, the actor argued that Nigerians must also confront personal and societal shortcomings.
“At a point, they had to block the gate that people would not leave until they found the phones. Oh God, the government is not our problem. I don’t think government is our problem. Even if we chase everybody in government now out, who will lead? Who will do the job?” he said.
Nze further maintained that meaningful change cannot be achieved through government policies alone if citizens fail to uphold honesty, kindness and accountability in their daily lives. He lamented that some people condemn leaders while engaging in unethical behaviour themselves.
“You’re saying the government is bad, but you are wicked. You’re not kind, not with your words, not with giving, not with sympathy. We’re not kind people. I feel this is the height of it. Where people are mourning, you come to steal from them, add more sorrow to them.”
Calling on Nigerians to take responsibility for their actions and speak up against wrongdoing, the actor urged citizens to look out for one another and uphold values that promote compassion and integrity.
The reported thefts have continued to generate reactions online, with the incident drawing attention to concerns about security at public gatherings and reigniting debate over the role of individual conduct in addressing broader societal challenges.
