Rivers State Police Command has successfully arrested three suspected armed robbers involved in serial theft of tricycles across Elelenwo, Igwuruta, Tank, and Woji axis of Port Harcourt.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a press release, on Friday.
It was stated that one Sadiq Gara, a 32-year-old tricycle operator, had reported at the Octopus Base, on 19 March, 2026, that he was robbed and dispossessed of his okada by three male passengers.
According to him, he picked up the three male passengers while playing his trade in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt at about 0900 hours, the previous day.
“During the trip, the passengers asked him to stop at a point, and in the process, one of them brought out a gun and robbed him of his tricycle.
“Following the report, operatives of the Command immediately swung into action and successfully recovered the stolen tricycle.
“Further intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of two suspects at their criminal hideout located at Army Range, Igwuruta,” the Rivers State Police PPRO stated.
The names of the suspected three armed robbers were Abdullahi Mohammed (23); Yusuf Umaru (25); and Mohammed Usman (28), a suspected receiver of stolen items.
The three suspects reportedly confessed to the crime during interrogation, just as one locally-made pistol, two live cartridges and two stolen tricycles were recovered from them.
“During the course of the investigation, another victim, Rosemary James, identified one of the suspects as a member of the gang that had earlier robbed her of her tricycle earlier this year.
“Preliminary investigations further revealed that the suspects are part of a syndicate responsible for robbing tricycle operators across Elelenwo, Igwuruta, Tank, and Woji axis.
“The suspects also admitted having delivered over 20 stolen tricycles to the receiver, who subsequently transported them to Kano, Bauchi, and Adamawa states,” it was stated in the release.
Rivers Police Command stated that investigation of the three suspects was ongoing, adding that efforts have been intensified to apprehend other members of the gang and recover additional stolen tricycles.
Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has advised members of the public, particularly commercial tricycle operators, to remain vigilant.
He urged them to avoid picking up suspicious passengers, especially at odd hours, and promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
“The Command further reassures residents of its unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property across the state,” it was added in the release.
