The Akwa Ibom State Police Command says it has arrested a four-man robbery gang suspects using tricycles to rob victims of their phones and other valuables.
Speaking on Friday in Uyo during a press conference, the State Police Commissioner, Baba Mohammed Azare, said three tricycles and 72 assorted mobile phones were recovered from the four suspects notorious for terrorizing Uyo residents and its environs.
CP Azare added the Command also arrested five other male suspects with a loaded tricycle filled with assorted, brand-new household items.
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He stated that the last victims of the gang were a couple robbed at gunpoint of an iPhone 12 Pro Max valued at ₦680,000, iPhone 16 valued at ₦1,400,000, Samsung S22 valued at ₦370,000, and cash sum of ₦28,200.
“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,” he stated.
While calling on victims to visit the Uyo Area Command office with proof of ownership and claim their phones, the CP revealed that items including industrial standing fans, microwave ovens, bicycle, stabilizers, electric kettles, brand new Startime decoders, and pressing irons, among other items, were recovered from the five male suspects.
“On Monday, October 13, 2025, Operative of the Command intercepted a tricycle with registration number 298 WZ along Nasarawa Road.
“The tricycle, carrying five male occupants, was found to be 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,” he stated.
While urging citizens to be vigilant, the CP assured that the suspects will be charged to court. He noted that the Police Command will not tolerate any form of criminality in the state.
