Police arrest cab driver for allegedly stealing from female passengers in Rivers

• The spokesperson said the command received several complaints about the suspects’ assaults on female passengers before their apprehension occurred.

The Rivers Police Command has taken into custody a 44-year-old cab driver, Andrew Nwanna, for his alleged role in robbing female passengers.

According to Grace Iringe-Koko, the command’s spokesperson, Nwanna utilized a vehicle with altered license plates to commit the crimes, as stated in a Port Harcourt address on Tuesday.

Iringe-Koko revealed that prior to Nwanna’s capture, the police had received multiple complaints regarding his assaults on female passengers.

Nwanna allegedly robbed a female passenger on October 4 near Port Harcourt Primary School in the Old GRA area.

“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,” she said.

Nwanna also reportedly seized the female passenger’s Access Bank debit card, a Bible, and 200 US dollars in cash, leaving her stranded.

Following a report by one of his victims, Nwanna was apprehended by the police at Farm Road, Rumuosi, Obio/Apkor.

During the investigation, Nwanna confessed to his crimes and implicated Garba Adamu, a 38-year-old Bureau de Change operator, as his accomplice.

“We have also apprehended Adamu, he has admitted purchasing the phones that were stolen from the second victim,” Iringe-Koko said.

The spokesperson stated that investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will face charges upon conclusion.

Iringe-Koko advised the public to exercise caution when using taxis or commercial transport services and to promptly report suspicious behavior to the authorities.