Operatives of Rivers State Police Command have arrested a cab driver identified as Andrew Nwanna over his alleged involvement in the robbery of female passengers.
Gatekeepers News reports that the command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko announced this in a statement released in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Iringe-Koko notes that Nwanna used a vehicle with a customized number plate to carry out the acts.
She added that before the suspect’s arrest, the police had received several complaints concerning his attacks on female passengers.
The spokesperson said that at about 8.00 a.m. on Oct. 4, Nwanna robbed a female passenger near Port Harcourt Primary School in Old GRA area of the city.
She said, “ He took the female passenger along Stadium Road, while on the trip, he diverted the vehicle to the Old GRA, attacked her and forcibly collected her two phones.”
“Also, at about 3.00p.m on Oct. 10, Nwanna picked up another female passenger at Tombia Extension in GRA Phase 2, en route to Birabi Street in the city.”
“During the journey, the suspect stopped the vehicle near Skippers Restaurant, brought out a knife, and threatened to stab the passenger if she raised alarm.”
“He forcibly took her iPhone 13 valued N850,000, another iPhone 15 worth N1.7 million, a Redmi 120 phone valued N200,000, and AirPods worth N350,000.”
Iringe-Koko said that Nwanna also dispossessed the female passenger of her Access Bank debit card, a Bible, and 200 US dollar cash, and left her stranded.
She noted that the police swung into action and apprehended Nwanna at Farm Road, Rumuosi, Obio/Apkor, following a report made by one of his victims.
Iringe-Koko said that during investigation, Nwanna confessed to his crimes and mentioned a 38-year-old man, Garba Adamu, a Bureau de Change operator as his accomplice.
She added, “We have also apprehended Adamu, he has admitted purchasing the phones that were stolen from the second victim.”
The spokesperson noted that investigations were still ongoing and that the suspects would be charged in court upon conclusion.
She advises members of the public to exercise vigilance when using taxis or commercial transport services and to quickly report any suspicious behaviour to the police.
