A criminal gang that specializes in stealing mobile phones inside tricycles popularly known as ‘Keke Napep’ while pretending to be commercial riders have been apprehended by the Intelligence Bureau of Bayelsa State Police Command.

The police also mentioned that they recovered four tricycles, five iPhones, fourteen Android Phones, six button phones, amulets, and charms used on unsuspecting passengers.

DAILY POST gathered that that gang members, all males, include Daniel Patrick 31, Oyinmi Gideon, 37, Abdulmalik Sa’adu, 22, Ebenezer Samuel, 37, David Ebikabowei, 27, and John Okon, 38.

They were all arrested on September 7, 2023, at different locations within Yenagoa Metropolis, where they operate effortlessly with charms, after sustained surveillance by police officers.

A statement sent through the State’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Asinim Butswat, said that “The suspects’ Modus operandi is to drive in pairs, one claiming to be a driver and the other a passenger, when they pick a genuine passenger, the driver distracts the unsuspecting passenger by arguing over transport fares, the other partner then steals the phone from the unsuspecting passenger.”

Consequently, they would sell the stolen phones to Abubakar Mallam, 37, AKA Danmallam, Ibrahim Ahmed, 25, and Iliya Isiaka, 40, at a give away price.

The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Tolani Alausa, calls on members of the public whose phones were stolen recently, to contact the Police Public Relations Officer for possible identification and recovery.

He noted that the suspects are cooperating with the Police in their investigation.