A brazen act of theft has sparked outrage online after CCTV footage surfaced showing a man stealing a phone from a Sterling Bank branch in Anambra State.

The incident, which occurred inside the banking hall, was shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by user @ChuksEricE. The video clearly shows a young man in brown native attire entering the premises and pretending to be on a phone call.

Moments later, he casually places a piece of paper over a phone believed to belong to a bank staff member, cleverly concealing it before sliding it off the desk. Without raising suspicion, he then walks out of the bank, leaving no trace—except for the camera’s unblinking eye.

😠 Public Reactions & Concerns

The video has drawn mixed reactions across social media. While some viewers expressed shock at the boldness of the thief, others lamented the increasing rate of petty crimes in broad daylight, even in supposedly secure environments like banks.

One user wrote:

“The guy just waka comot like say e collect POS receipt. This country na cruise and chaos mixed together.”

Another added:

“Imagine entering a bank, where you feel safe, and still getting robbed by deception. People no dey fear again.”

🚨 OPINION: Are Banks Still Safe Spaces?

This incident once again raises serious questions about in-bank security protocols, especially for customer service areas where personal belongings are often left momentarily unattended.

While CCTV helped capture the incident, it also highlights how bold and calculated petty theft has become in Nigeria — even within institutions meant to protect valuables.

This shouldn’t just end with social media outrage. Banks must do more to train staff and tighten internal security — including designated “no-phone zones,” employee-only areas, and better surveillance coordination.

✅ What Can Be Done?

🔐 Staff Security Briefings: Regularly remind employees not to leave phones or personal items unattended.
📸 Real-time Monitoring: Banks must actively monitor CCTV rather than using footage reactively.
🚨 Public Alerts: When caught on camera, identities of such criminals should be reported to authorities and shared appropriately for quick arrest.

📣 What are your thoughts on this? Do you think banks in Nigeria are doing enough to protect both customers and staff from theft?
Let’s hear from you in the comments.
#AnambraTheft #CrimeInNaija #SterlingBankSaga #SecureYourDevices #BankingSecurity