Influencer Papaya Ex Searches Guests Bags for Stolen iPhone 16 Pro Max at Iyabo Ojo Premiere (Video)

Popular influencer Papaya Ex found herself in a tense situation at the premiere of Iyabo Ojo’s movie, The Return of Arinzo, after her phone went missing.

The incident happened during the star-studded event in Lagos, where guests enjoyed glamour, red carpet moments, and celebrations. Papaya Ex reportedly lost her iPhone 16 Pro, which was in the care of her personal assistant at the time.

According to videos circulating on social media, Papaya Ex took matters into her own hands. She positioned herself at the exit and began searching guests’ bags in an attempt to recover the device. The move quickly drew mixed reactions, with some criticising her approach while others understood her frustration.

The moment Papaya Ex was criticized for stopping and searching people’s bags after losing her phone at Iyabo Ojo’s movie premiere pic.twitter.com/pYFNOu4DCB

— 𝐀𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐲𝐆𝐑𝐍 (@AsakyGRN) March 30, 2026

NaijaChoice News gathered that Papaya Ex also offered a ₦700,000 reward to anyone who could help locate the missing phone. She appealed directly, stating the device was stolen from her PA and pleading for its return. The influencer expressed desperation, invoking divine intervention in her public appeal.

The premiere of The Return of Arinzo, produced by Nollywood star Iyabo Ojo, attracted several celebrities and influencers. It served as a major industry gathering, but the phone theft added an unexpected drama to the night. Similar incidents have occurred at high-profile events, raising concerns about security at crowded Lagos gatherings.

Many Nigerians on social media weighed in on the matter. Some defended Papaya Ex, arguing that desperation can push anyone to act, while others felt searching guests crossed a line without proper involvement of event security or police.

One video showed her being rebuked for the bag searches, sparking debates on how to handle theft at celebrity events.

This development comes weeks after a similar phone theft involving actress Mercy Aigbe at another Iyabo Ojo premiere, where the host offered a reward for the return of the devices. Such cases highlight the growing challenge of petty theft targeting expensive gadgets at glitzy Nollywood functions.

As of the time of filing this report, it remains unclear if Papaya Ex recovered her phone. NaijaChoice News will continue to monitor the situation for updates.

Event organisers and celebrities have often called for better security measures at public gatherings to prevent recurrence of these incidents in the industry.