…Recover stolen vehicles
The Rivers State Police Command has dismantled a criminal syndicate specialised in the armed robbery of tricycles across several areas of the state capital, including Elelenwo, Igwuruta, Tank, and Woji.
The operation led to the arrest of three key suspects: Abdullahi Mohammed, 23, and Yusuf Umaru, 25, who allegedly carried out the robberies, and Mohammed Usman, 28, who is accused of receiving the stolen vehicles.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent Grace Iringe-Koko, in a press statement on Tuesday, the gang’s activities were uncovered following a complaint by a 32-year-old tricycle operator, Sadiq Gara.
The victim reported that on March 18, 2026, he was robbed at gunpoint after picking up three passengers in the Elelenwo area when one of the passengers allegedly produced a firearm and made off with the tricycle.
The case was reported to the Octopus Base, prompting an investigation that led operatives to the suspects’ hideout in the Army Range area of Igwuruta where authorities recovered a locally made pistol, two live cartridges, and two stolen tricycles from the suspects.
During the investigation, a woman named Rosemary James also came forward to identify the suspects as those responsible for a previous theft of her own tricycle.
CSP Iringe-Koko stated that during interrogation, Abdullahi Mohammed and Yusuf Umaru confessed to delivering over 20 stolen tricycles to Mohammed Usman, who allegedly transported them for sale in Kano, Bauchi, and Adamawa states.
In response to the arrests, Rivers State Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju has urged members of the public, especially commercial tricycle operators, to remain vigilant.
He advised operators to avoid picking up suspicious passengers, particularly during odd hours, and to promptly report any unusual activity to the nearest police station.