Rivers Police Crack Down on Tricycle Robbery Syndicate, Arrest Suspects
The Rivers State Police Command has achieved a significant breakthrough in combating crime with the arrest of suspected armed robbers linked to a series of tricycle thefts across multiple areas in Port Harcourt. The operation targeted criminal activities in Elelenwo, Igwuruta, Tank, and Woji axis, leading to the recovery of stolen property and weapons.
Incident Report and Swift Police Action
According to a statement released by SP Grace Iringe-Koku, the command's spokesperson, the case began on March 19, 2026, at approximately 2300 hours. A 32-year-old male tricycle operator, Sadiq Gara, reported to the Octopus Base that on the previous day, March 18, 2026, around 0900 hours, he had picked up three passengers while operating in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt. During the journey, the passengers requested him to stop at a specific location, where one of them produced a firearm and forcibly took his tricycle.
In response to this report, police operatives immediately launched an investigation. Their efforts quickly led to the successful recovery of the stolen tricycle. Building on this initial success, intelligence-driven operations were conducted, resulting in the arrest of two suspects at their criminal hideout situated in Army Range, Igwuruta. The apprehended individuals have been identified as Abdullahi Mohammed, a 23-year-old male, and Yusuf Umaru, a 25-year-old male.
Expanded Arrests and Confessions
Further investigations led to the arrest of an additional suspect, Mohammed Usman, a 28-year-old male, who is believed to be a receiver of stolen items. During interrogation, all suspects confessed to their involvement in the crimes, providing crucial information to the police.
Items recovered from the suspects include:
- One locally made pistol
- Two live cartridges
- Two stolen tricycles
Uncovering a Wider Criminal Network
As the investigation progressed, another victim, Rosemary James, came forward and identified one of the suspects as a member of the gang that had robbed her of her tricycle earlier in the year. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the suspects are part of a larger syndicate responsible for targeting tricycle operators across the Elelenwo, Igwuruta, Tank, and Woji areas of Port Harcourt.
The suspects admitted during questioning that they had delivered over twenty stolen tricycles to the receiver, who subsequently transported these vehicles to Kano, Bauchi, and Adamawa States for disposal or resale. This admission highlights the interstate nature of the criminal operation and the extensive reach of the syndicate.
Ongoing Efforts and Future Actions
SP Grace Iringe-Koku emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing, with efforts being intensified to apprehend other members of the gang and recover additional stolen tricycles. The police are committed to dismantling the entire network to prevent further crimes and ensure the safety of residents and tricycle operators in the region.
This successful operation underscores the Rivers State Police Command's dedication to tackling armed robbery and theft, demonstrating effective collaboration between community reporting and police intelligence work. The arrests serve as a warning to criminal elements while providing reassurance to the public about law enforcement's capabilities in addressing security challenges.
