Tricycle Snatching Syndicate Exposed: Police Nab 3 Gang Members in PH, Rivers State
The Rivers State Police Command has bust a syndicate behind the snatching of tricycles across the Elelenwo, Igwuruta, Tank, and Woji areas of the state capital, Port Harcourt.
The suspects include ABDULLAHI MOHAMMED (Male, 23 years) and YUSUF UMARU (Male, 25 years), who allegedly steal the tricycles, as well as MOHAMMED USMAN (Male 28 year), who allegedly receives the stolen items.
The Police Public Relations Officer, GRACE IRINGE-KOKO, who confirmed the development in a statement, said the operation of the criminal gang was exposed by one SADIQ GARA whose tricycle was snatched at gunpoint on March 18, 2026.
IRINGE-KOKO said the 32-year-old male tricycle operator had on that fateful day offered a ride to three passengers within the Elelenwo axis of Port Harcourt, during which one of the passengers robbed him of his tricycle at gunpoint.
The PPRO said the incident was first reported at the Octopus Base, following which an investigation was launched, leading to the successfully recovery of the stolen tricycle and the arrest of ABDULLAHI MOHAMMED and YUSUF UMARU at their hideout in the Army Range at Igwuruta.
The police spokeswoman said items recovered from the suspects include a locally made pistol, two live cartridges, and two stolen tricycles.
She said MOHAMMED USMAN was later arrested on suspicion of receiving of stolen items, while one ROSEMARY JAMES also came forward during investigation to identify the suspects as those who had earlier stolen her own tricycle.
GRACE IRINGE-KOKO, who is a Chief Superintendent of Police, said during interrogation, the suspects confessed to have delivered over twenty stolen tricycles to MOHAMMED USMAN, which he subsequently transported to Kano, Bauchi, and Adamawa states.
Following the development, CSP IRINGE-KOKO said the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, OLUGBENGA ADEPOJU, advised members of the public, particularly commercial tricycle operators, to remain vigilant, avoid picking up suspicious passengers, especially at odd hours, and promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.