National News – A phone technician in Lagos has been arrested after allegedly stealing private photos from a female customer’s iPhone and attempting to blackmail her with the images.

The incident reportedly occurred when the woman visited a phone shop to upgrade her device, unaware that the technician would secretly transfer her personal files to his own phone.

Authorities say the case has raised serious concerns about digital privacy and the misuse of smartphone features.

According to reports, the woman visited the shop earlier in March 2026 to upgrade her iPhone.

During the process, the technician offered to help transfer and set up her data on the upgraded device.

While handling the phone, he allegedly used Apple’s wireless file-sharing feature, AirDrop, to secretly send private photos and videos from the customer’s phone to his own device without her consent.

Investigations indicate that after obtaining the files, the suspect later contacted the woman and allegedly attempted to blackmail her.

He reportedly threatened to release the sensitive images online unless she complied with his demands.

Shocked by the threats, the victim reported the matter to authorities.

Law enforcement officials said the suspect was subsequently tracked down and arrested following the complaint.

The arrest reportedly took place in Lagos after investigators confirmed the alleged unauthorized transfer of files and the blackmail attempt.

The suspect is now expected to face legal action under laws relating to cybercrime, privacy violations, and extortion.

Security experts say the incident highlights the risks of handing smartphones to technicians without proper supervision.

They advise phone users to disable wireless sharing features like AirDrop, monitor their devices closely during repairs, and remove sensitive files before giving phones to third parties.

Authorities have also urged victims of digital extortion to report such incidents immediately. Officials say prompt reporting helps investigators gather evidence quickly and prevents further abuse.

The case has sparked public discussion about privacy protection and the need for stricter oversight in phone repair shops across Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.