Akwa Ibom Police Command Smashes Notorious Tricycle Robbery Syndicate
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has
smashed a notorious tricycle robbery syndicate terrorizing residents of Uyo metropolis and environs.
The Commissioner of Police in the state,Baba Mohammed Azare, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the activities of the command.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another breakthrough in its sustained onslaught against criminal elements operating within the state, as operatives have successfully apprehended
a notorious tricycle robbery syndicate terrorizing residents of Uyo metropolis and environs.
“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.
“Through intelligence-led investigation, police operatives arrested the tricycle rider, one Editi, aged 34 years, alongside the tricycle used in the operation. His voluntary statement led to the arrest of four other members of the gang, both within and outside Akwa Ibom State,” Azare said.
He gave the names of the arrested gang members as Musa Idris Sanni,Utibe Asuquo Nkop,Dadati John and Abdulrashid Sanni
Exhibits recovered from the suspects,the commissioner said,included 3 tricycles and 72 assorted mobile phones reasonably suspected to have been stolen from unsuspecting victims.
He commended the swift response and professionalism exhibited by the operatives who made the arrests.
“The Command under my leadership will not relent in ensuring that our people sleep with their two eyes closed.We are therefore calling on all victims to visit our Area Command Uyo office with proof of ownership and claim their phones. The suspects will have their day in court after completion of investigation,”Azare added.