Three individuals connected to a string of tricycle robberies in several areas of Port Harcourt have been taken into custody by the Rivers State Police Command. During the operation, stolen tricycles and a handgun were found.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, revealed this in a message that was posted on its official X handle on Tuesday.
Sadiq Gara, a tricycle operator, reported the incident to the police on March 19, 2026, claiming that he had been robbed in Elelenwo the day before after picking up three passengers.
During the drive, one of the passengers allegedly pulled out a revolver and took his tricycle away, according to the police.
The statement claims that Yusuf Umaru, 25, and Abdullahi Mohammed, 23, were apprehended after agents trailed the suspects to a hideaway in Igwuruta.
In relation to the case, Mohammed Usman, a 28-year-old suspect who was identified as a recipient of stolen goods, was also taken into custody.
According to the statement, “the suspects admitted to the crime during interrogation.”
Two stolen tricycles, two live ammunition rounds, and a locally manufactured handgun were found on the suspects.
Rosemary James, another victim, recognized one of the suspects as a member of a group that had previously stolen her tricycle, according to the police.
According to the Command’s preliminary investigations, the suspects are members of a syndicate that steals tricycles from the Elelenwo, Igwuruta, Tank, and Woji neighborhoods of Port Harcourt.
Police further disclosed that the accused acknowledged transporting more than 20 pilfered tricycles to northern states like Bauchi, Adamawa, and Kano via a receiver.
The document also stated, “The suspects also admitted having delivered over twenty stolen tricycles to the receiver.”
Olugbenga Adepoju, the state’s commissioner of police, asked commercial tricycle drivers to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
“People, especially tricycle operators, should stay vigilant and avoid picking up suspicious passengers, especially at odd hours,” he stated.
The Command stated that efforts are being made to apprehend further gang members and retrieve additional stolen goods as part of the ongoing investigation.
