By Patrick Titus, Uyo
Sustained onslaught against criminals by the police command in Akwa Ibom has led to arrest of a suspected notorious tricycle robbery syndicate that have been terrorizing residents of Uyo metropolis and environs.
Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, who told journalists at the command headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia Uyo on Friday, mentioned that 72 handsets and other valuables were recovered from the criminal elements.
CP Azare said the breakthrough followed a report by a victim, 41 years old Aniekan Dan who, alongside his wife, were robbed of their personal belongings at a gun point on July 7, 2025.
“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 of ₦28,200 and a handbag containing personal effects,” CP Azare disclosed.
He added that the suspects, after robbing and assaulting the victims, pushed them out of the moving tricycle but luck ran out of them when 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.
“The arrested suspects include Musa Idris Sanni, 31 years; Utibe Asuquo Nkop, 34 years; Dadati John, 46 years and Abdulrashid Sanni, 28 years.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include three (3) tricycles and seventy-two (72) assorted mobile phones, reasonably suspected to have been stolen from unsuspecting victims,” Police maintained.
In a related development that underscores proactive policing approach, the security operatives of the command, on October 13, 2025, intercepted a tricycle with registration number 298 WZ along Nasarawa Road.
The tricycle conveying five male occupants, according to the police, was found to be loaded with 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 Startimes decoders; four (4) pressing irons; one (1) DVD player and several other items.
The five suspects arrested include z Muhammed Saifuana, 32 yrs; Musa Abdulahi, 27 years; Samaila Sauwanu, 21years; Mubansir Abubakar, 20 years and Adamu Umar, 25 years.
Investigation is ongoing in both cases, and all suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation, CP Azare assured.
Meanwhile, citizens and residents of the state have been assured of their safety as the police would not tolerate any form of criminality by closing in on criminal elements from all fronts,
Victims have also been called open to visit the Area Command’s Uyo office with proof of ownership to claim their phones.
