The Rivers State Police Command disclosed that a coordinated police operation has exposed and dismantled a tricycle theft syndicate operating across key parts of Port Harcourt, leading to the arrest of three suspects, recovery of stolen vehicles, and seizure of a firearm.

A press release issued by the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, noted that the breakthrough followed a report filed on March 19, 2026, at about 11:00 p.m. by a 32-year-old tricycle operator, Sadiq Gara, at Octopus Base.

Iringe-Koko explained that the victim, Gara, had recounted how, a day earlier at about 9:00 a.m., he picked up three passengers in Elelenwo who later turned on him mid-journey, saying One of the men reportedly pulled a gun, forcing him to surrender his tricycle.

Acting swiftly on the report, Iringe-Koko said, operatives of the Command launched an intelligence-driven operation that led to the recovery of the stolen tricycle.

She noted that the operation further traced the suspects to a hideout at Army Range in Igwuruta, where two members of the gang — Abdullahi Mohammed, 23, and Yusuf Umaru, 25 — were apprehended.

In a related development, police also arrested a 28-year-old man, Mohammed Usman, identified as a receiver of stolen items linked to the syndicate.

During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the crimes. A search conducted on them led to the recovery of a locally made pistol, two live cartridges, and two stolen tricycles.

Investigations deepened after another victim, Rosemary James, identified one of the suspects as part of a gang that had earlier dispossessed her of her tricycle earlier in the year.

The Command’s spokesperson added that preliminary findings indicate that the suspects belong to a wider criminal network responsible for a string of robberies targeting tricycle operators in Elelenwo, Igwuruta, Tank, and Woji areas.

She said the syndicate allegedly moved stolen tricycles through a distribution chain, delivering over 20 of them to a receiver who transported the vehicles to northern states including Kano, Bauchi, and Adamawa.

Police say efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the gang and recover more stolen property.

Also, Iringe-Koko, confirmed that investigations are continuing as authorities intensify efforts to bring all those connected to the syndicate to justice.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, urged commercial tricycle operators to exercise caution, particularly when picking up passengers at odd hours, and to promptly report suspicious movements.

 He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.