- The Rivers State Police Command has imposed restrictions on tricycle operations on selected routes in Port Harcourt following increasing cases of robbery linked to the notorious “one chance” syndicates.
The new security measure was announced on Monday by the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, as part of efforts to curb criminal activities targeting unsuspecting commuters within the metropolis.
The command said intelligence reports had connected several robbery and abduction incidents to criminals disguising as tricycle operators across major roads in Port Harcourt.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the restriction became necessary to protect residents and restore sanity to the city’s transport system.
She explained that security agencies had recorded disturbing cases where hoodlums posed as commercial tricycle operators to rob passengers of their valuables.
According to her, the directive is aimed at identifying and flushing out criminal elements operating under the guise of public transportation.
Iringe-Koko added that joint patrol teams had been deployed to strategic locations across Port Harcourt to enforce compliance with the directive and ensure that legitimate operators were not unfairly targeted.
The police spokesperson also urged residents to remain alert and avoid boarding suspicious or unregistered tricycles.
She appealed to members of the public to promptly report suspicious movements and activities to security agencies to aid ongoing efforts at tackling crime in the state.
The latest move comes amid growing concerns over rising incidents of “one chance” robberies and abductions in parts of Rivers State.