The Akwa Ibom State Police Command says it has apprehended a notorious tricycle robbery syndicate terrorizing the state and dispossessing unsuspecting passengers of their personal belongings.
It added that the arrest of the syndicate led to the recovery of over 72 cellphones of varying standards and three tricycles.
Parading the suspects and recovered items in the command headquarters Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, said the arrests followed a petition on July 7 by one Aniekan Dan who reported how he was robbed, assaulted alongside his wife in a tricycle they boarded to Nwaniba road.
He explained, “On 7th July 2025, the Command received a petition from one Mr. Aniekan Dan, aged 41 years. He reported that on 3rd July 2025 at about 7:00 pm, while returning from Ibesikpo with his wife, they boarded a tricycle from Ring Road 3 en route Nwaniba. Unknown to them, two other men already seated in the tricycle were members of a robbery gang.
“On getting to UniUyo Permanent Site Roundabout, the two supposed passengers, in collaboration with the tricycle rider, suddenly brought out a firearm and ordered the couple to surrender their belongings. They were dispossessed of an iPhone 12 Pro Max valued at ₦680,000, iPhone 16 valued at ₦1,400,000, Samsung S22 valued at ₦370,000, cash sum of ₦28,200, and a handbag containing personal effects.
“After robbing and assaulting the victims, the suspects pushed them out of the moving tricycle. Fortunately, the victims managed to identify the MOT number (MOT–0BMR) of the fleeing tricycle, which proved vital in tracking down the culprits.”
The commissioner said through intelligence-led investigation, police operatives arrested the tricycle rider, one Editi, aged 34, alongside the tricycle used in the operation adding that his voluntary statement led to the arrest of four other members of the gang, both within and outside Akwa Ibom State.
The CP identified members of the syndicate to include: Musa Idris Sanni, 31, Utibe Asuquo Nkop, 34, Dadati John, 46 and Abdulrashid Sanni, 28.
He also said the operatives intercepted another tricycle carrying five male occupants loaded with a large quantity of assorted, brand-new household items, which immediately raised suspicion.
“The recovered items include: Five (5) industrial standing fans, Two (2) microwave ovens, One (1) bicycle, Fifty (50) pieces of stabilizers, Three (3) electric kettles, Two (2) brand new Startime decoders, Four (4) pressing irons, One (1) DVD player, and several other goods.”
The five suspects arrested are: Muhammed Saifuana, 32, Musa Abdulahi, 27, Samaila Sauwanu, 21, Mubansir Abubakar, 20 and Adamu Umar, 25.
The commissioner said investigations have begun in the two cases adding that suspects would be charged to court soon. He also commended the officers for their professionalism while effecting the arrest and urged the public to always avail police with information.
