The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has busted a notorious tricycle robbery syndicate that has been terrorizing passengers across the state. The gang was responsible for multiple robberies, including violent attacks on unsuspecting commuters. Their arrest led to the recovery of over 72 stolen phones and three tricycles used for their criminal operations.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, disclosed this while parading the suspects at the command headquarters in Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, on Friday. According to him, the breakthrough followed a petition from Mr. Aniekan Dan, who, alongside his wife, was robbed inside a tricycle on Nwaniba Road on July 3, 2025. The couple was assaulted and pushed out of the moving tricycle after being robbed of cash, valuables, and multiple high-end smartphones.

Azare explained that police investigations, guided by intelligence, led to the arrest of the tricycle operator identified as Editi (34), whose confession helped uncover other members of the gang. The suspects were identified as Musa Idris Sanni (31), Utibe Asuquo Nkop (34), Dadati John (46), and Abdulrashid Sanni (28). During the raid, the police also intercepted another tricycle carrying five men with several brand-new household items, which were later discovered to be stolen.

Recovered items from the second operation included industrial fans, microwave ovens, electric kettles, decoders, stabilizers, a DVD player, and a bicycle. The suspects arrested in that group were Muhammed Saifuana (32), Musa Abdulahi (27), Samaila Sauwanu (21), Mubansir Abubakar (20), and Adamu Umar (25). The police confirmed that both cases are under investigation and that all suspects will be charged to court soon.

CP Azare commended the officers involved in the successful operations for their professionalism and encouraged residents to continue sharing timely information with law enforcement agencies to help curb criminal activities in the state.