The Rivers State Police Command has arrested three suspected robbery gang members linked to a series of tricycle thefts across Port Harcourt, recovering a firearm and stolen tricycles during the operation.
The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the arrest followed a report by a tricycle operator, Sadiq Gara, who was robbed on March 18, 2026, in Elelenwo after picking up three passengers.
Read also: Rivers Police investigates Defilement Of minors
According to the police, one of the passengers produced a gun during the trip and forcefully dispossessed the victim of his tricycle. Acting on the report, operatives launched an investigation and traced the suspects to a hideout in Igwuruta, where Abdullahi Mohammed, 23, and Yusuf Umaru, 25, were arrested.
Further investigation led to the arrest of a third suspect, Mohammed Usman, 28, who was identified as a receiver of stolen items.
The police said the suspects confessed to the crime during interrogation. Recovered items include a locally made pistol, two live cartridges and two stolen tricycles.
The Command also revealed that another victim, Rosemary James, identified one of the suspects as part of a gang that had earlier robbed her of her tricycle.
Preliminary findings indicate that the suspects belong to a syndicate responsible for tricycle thefts in Elelenwo, Igwuruta, Tank and Woji areas. The suspects reportedly confessed to transporting over 20 stolen tricycles to northern states.
Police say investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang.
