Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Rivers State Police Command has imposed a sweeping restriction on the movement of tricycles, colloquially known as “Keke,” within Port Harcourt and its environs, effective immediately, in a bid to dismantle the growing network of “One Chance” robbery syndicates that have turned commercial transport into a deadly trap for unsuspecting commuters. The directive was announced on Monday, May 11, 2026, by the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, who declared that existing restrictions on tricycle movement from 10:00 p.m. remain fully in force, and that any operator found violating this curfew will have his vehicle impounded and face prosecution.
This is not a new prohibition, but a sharp reaffirmation of existing rules that have been routinely flouted. What is new is the hammer that now accompanies the old words. According to a statement by the command's spokesperson, ASP Grace Iringe‑Koko, the police have intensified their crackdown on commercial transporters who engage in criminal activities. “Residents are reminded that the existing restrictions on the movement of tricycles from 10:00 p.m. remain in force,” she said, warning that any deviation would be met with immediate sanctions.
Widening the net, the Police Command has prohibited the use of covered or tinted enclosures that conceal passengers on Keke buses. The directive also banned the covering, alteration, or concealment of vehicle plate numbers. The covering, alteration, or concealment of plate numbers is strictly prohibited, as is the operation of any commercial Keke bus with tinted glass that obscures the identity of passengers or occupants. From May 18, 2026, any commercial Keke bus found violating this directive will be impounded, and the operator will be arrested and prosecuted. The new rules also extended to mini‑commercial buses with tinted glasses and unregistered vehicles, which were banned in a sweeping move that has sent shockwaves through the city's transport sector.
The Police Command’s move is a direct response to the rise of “One Chance” robberies, a phenomenon where criminals pose as commercial vehicle operators to lure and rob passengers. In a typical “One Chance” operation, unsuspecting commuters are lured into a Keke bus, driven to a secluded spot, and then robbed at gunpoint. The rise of this criminal enterprise has been particularly alarming in Port Harcourt, where residents have reported losing phones, cash, and other valuables in such attacks. In many instances, victims have been physically assaulted or threatened with death. The new police measures are designed to disrupt the operational patterns of these syndicates by making it harder for them to hide their identities and escape detection.
The Rivers State Police Command had earlier recorded major successes against “One Chance” gangs. On May 6, 2026, the command smashed a N4.6 million “One Chance” syndicate, which used house helps to gain access to victims' bank accounts. In that same operation, the police arrested members of a four‑man syndicate that specialized in recruiting domestic workers to access employers' bank accounts. The success of this operation exposed the sophistication of the criminal networks operating in the state. The police have also been clamping down on Keke operators who use their vehicles for criminal purposes. In July 2024, the command arrested a network of armed robbers using tricycles as their mode of operation.
In a related development, police operatives have arrested 10 suspects for defying the Keke ban. The suspects were caught operating their tricycles after the stipulated curfew hours, and they face prosecution. CP Adepoju used the opportunity to warn commercial motorcyclists to adhere to the new rules or face the full wrath of the law. He also urged residents to exercise caution when boarding vehicles and to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station without delay.
The Rivers State Police Command has vowed to sustain the crackdown on “One Chance” robbery syndicates, and CP Adepoju has directed all area commanders and divisional police officers to intensify patrols and enforce the new restrictions to the letter. The police have also called on commercial transport operators to cooperate with law enforcement and to report any suspicious persons or activities within their ranks.
The new measures have already begun to yield results. On May 9, 2026, police operatives arrested two suspects, Adeola Mathew, 47, and Rasheed Omoniyi, 48, in Ogun State in connection with “One Chance” robberies. During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of a robbery syndicate that specialized in dispossessing commuters of their valuables along major routes. The police said the suspects were arrested while attempting to perfect their plans to rob unsuspecting passengers in Ogun, further underscoring the need for a coordinated, multi‑state approach to tackling the menace.
As Port Harcourt residents adjust to the new restrictions, the police have asked for the public's cooperation. “We are determined to rid our streets of these criminal elements,” CP Adepoju declared. “But we cannot do it alone. We need the support of every law‑abiding citizen in this state.”
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