• CP Baba Muhammed Azare on duty, yesterday
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has successfully apprehended a notorious gang involved in tricycle (keke) robberies that have been targeting unsuspecting passengers throughout the state.
As a result of the operation, the police authorities recovered more than 72 mobile phones of various brands, along with three tricycles.
During a press conference at the command headquarters in Uyo, on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Baba Mohammed Azare, revealed that the arrests were prompted by a petition on July 7 filed by one Aniekan Dan, who reported being robbed and assaulted, along with his wife, while riding in a tricycle to Nwaniba Road within the town.
He explained, “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.”
Mr Azare said through intelligence-led investigation, police operatives arrested the tricycle rider, one Editi, aged 34, alongside the tricycle used in the operation adding that his voluntary statement led to the arrest of four other members of the gang, both within and outside Akwa Ibom State.
The Commissioner identified members of the syndicate to include: Musa Idris Sanni, 31, Utibe Asuquo Nkop, 34, Dadati John, 46 and Abdulrashid Sanni, 28.
He also said the operatives intercepted another tricycle carrying five male occupants 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.”
The five suspects arrested are: Muhammed Saifuana, 32, Musa Abdulahi, 27, Samaila Sauwanu, 21, Mubansir Abubakar, 20 and Adamu Umar, 25.
The commissioner said investigations have begun in the two cases adding that suspects would be charged to court soon. He also commended the officers for their professionalism while effecting the arrest and urged the public to always avail police with information.
