The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a suspected armed robbery syndicate linked to a series of tricycle thefts in Elelenwo, Igwuruta, Tank, and Woji areas of Port Harcourt.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the arrests followed a complaint lodged on March 19, 2026, at about 11:00 p.m. by a 32-year-old tricycle operator, Sadiq Gara.
Gara reported at Octopus Base that on March 18, at about 9:00 a.m., he picked up three passengers in Elelenwo who later asked him to stop. One of them allegedly pulled out a gun and dispossessed him of his tricycle.
The police said operatives swiftly launched an investigation, leading to the recovery of the stolen tricycle. Subsequent intelligence-driven operations resulted in the arrest of two suspects at a hideout in the Army Range area of Igwuruta.
The suspects were identified as Abdullahi Mohammed, 23, and Yusuf Umaru, 25. Another suspect, Mohammed Usman, 28, believed to be a receiver of stolen items, was also apprehended.
According to the statement, the suspects confessed during interrogation. Items recovered from them include a locally made pistol, two live cartridges, and two stolen tricycles.
Police added that another victim, Rosemary James, identified one of the suspects as part of a gang that had earlier robbed her of her tricycle this year.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are members of a syndicate responsible for robbing tricycle operators across multiple locations in Port Harcourt. The group reportedly admitted to delivering over 20 stolen tricycles to a receiver, who transported them to Kano, Bauchi, and Adamawa states.
The police said investigations are ongoing, with efforts intensified to arrest other members of the syndicate and recover more stolen tricycles.
The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, urged commercial tricycle operators to remain vigilant, avoid picking up suspicious passengers—especially at odd hours—and promptly report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station.
The command also reassured residents of its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.
