Police arrest cab driver for ‘robbing female passengers’ in Rivers

The Rivers police command says its operatives have arrested Andrew Nwanna, a 44-year-old cab driver, for allegedly robbing his female passengers.

In a statement on Tuesday, Grace Iringe-Koko, Rivers police spokesperson, said the suspect used a vehicle with customised number plates to operate as a cab driver.

The police spokesperson said the command received several complaints about the suspect’s assaults on female passengers.

“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,” the statement reads.

“Also, at about 3:00 p.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 an alarm.

“He forcibly took her iPhone 13, valued at N850,000, another iPhone 15, worth N1.7 million; a Redmi 120 phone, valued at N200,000, and AirPods worth N350,000.”

Iringe-Koko said Nwanna also dispossessed the female passenger of her Access Bank debit card, a Bible, and $200.

She said the suspect confessed and also mentioned Garba Adamu, a bureau de change (BDC) operator, as his accomplice.

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

The police spokesperson said investigations are ongoing and suspects will be charged in court upon conclusion, advising members of the public to remain vigilant in their day-to-day activities.