Police in Anambra State have arrested members of a four-man gang, who specialize in robbing unsuspecting operators of their tricycles.
The gang is also said to specialize in robbing unsuspecting members of the public of their cell phones.
The gang was arrested by operatives of the Anambra State Police Command attached to Rapid Response Squad Akwuzu.
A press release by the state police command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that the men were arrested in the early hours of Monday, 25th August 2025, while on night patrol along the Agu Awka/Ifite Awka axis.
Ikenga in the release said: “The men intercepted a tricycle and arrested a four-man criminal syndicate specialising in robbing unsuspecting residents, particularly students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, of their phones and other valuables.
“The suspects included; Nnaji Chidera ‘m’ 19 years, Chijioke Mmaduabuchi ‘m’ 21 years, Wisdom Ogbonna ‘m’ 19 years and Afamefuna Egbe ‘m’ 20 years.
“Exhibits recovered are, 9 brands of phones including the victim’s iPhone, one laptop, two tricycles with registration numbers LSD 464 QP and BLF 552 VH, four different tricycle plate numbers and a substance suspected to be a hard drug.”
He added that the suspects have been interrogated, and they confessed to the crime, agreeing that they are part of a criminal syndicate that specialises in robbing students within the Awka axis.
“They further revealed that the multiple tricycle plate numbers found with them were usually used to disguise their operational vehicles whenever they embarked on armed robbery.
“The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, while commending the operatives for their swift response, urged youths to desist from crime.
“He warned that the Command will not relent in ensuring that criminals face the full weight of the law,” the press release stated.
