By Isaiah Eka
The Police Command in Akwa Ibom says it has arrested 10 suspected persons, who specialised in using tricycles to dispossess innocent residents of their valuable items.
The Akwa Ibom Police Commissioner, Mr Baba Azare, disclosed this during a press conference in the police headquarters in Uyo on Friday.
Azare said five of the suspects specialised in using tricycles to dispossess innocent passengers boarding their tricycle of cell phones.
He said that based on a petition from one Mr Aniekan Dan on July 3, the command operatives swung into action and arrested the tricycle owner, who confessed to the crime.
The CP added that the confession and thorough investigation led to arrest of other four suspects and recovery of 72 cell phones.
“On July 7, the Command received a petition from one Mr Aniekan Dan, aged 41 years, that on July 3 at about 7:00 pm, while returning from Ibesikpo with his wife, they boarded a tricycle from Ring Road three 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.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include; three tricycles and 72 assorted mobile phones reasonably suspected to have been stolen from unsuspecting victims,” Azare said.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the CP said that on Oct. 13, operatives of the command intercepted a tricycle with registration number 298 WZ along Nasarawa Road.
Azare said that the tricycle, with five male occupants, was found to be loaded with a large quantity of assorted, brand-new household items, which immediately raised suspicion.
He added that a thorough investigation led to the recovery of the following items; Five industrial standing fans, two microwave ovens, one bicycle, 50 pieces of stabilisers.
Other items recovered included; three electric kettles, two brand new Startimes decoders, four pressing irons, one DVD player, and several other goods.
The CP said that all the suspects were in police custody and investigation is ongoing to unravel the real owner of the items
He said all the suspects would be charged to Court as soon as investigations are concluded.
“I have since ordered a discreet and comprehensive investigation to unravel the source of these items, ascertain their true ownership, and apprehend any other accomplices.
“Let me be clear, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command under my watch will not tolerate any form of criminality. We are closing in on criminal elements from all fronts, whether they operate on tricycles, in homes, or on the highways,” he said.
The CP reiterated the command’s commitment to the safety and security of Akwa Ibom residents.
