Police Arrest 4-Man Tricycle, /Phones Snatching Gang, Recover Exhibits in AWKA

By Our Reporter

Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command attached to Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu, have 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 were caught by the police team in the early hours of 25th August 2025 while on night patrol along the Agu Awka/Ifite Awka axis.

According to an official statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the suspects include: 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.

The statement read: “The Operatives upon interrogation of the suspects confessed to being 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.

Ikenga further disclosed that Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, while commending the operatives for their swift response and urging youths to desist from crime, warned that the Command will not relent in ensuring that criminals face the full weight of the law.