Taxi Driver Who Preyed on Female Passengers Caught by Law Enforcement

A 44-year-old taxi driver, Andrew Nwanna, has been taken into custody by law enforcement in Rivers State.

Nwanna faces accusations of robbing female passengers using a vehicle that featured a personalized license plate.

Grace Iringe-Koko, the police spokesperson, reported today on December 31, that multiple complaints had been lodged against him before his arrest. On the morning of October 4, Nwanna reportedly robbed a woman close to Port Harcourt Primary School in the Old GRA neighborhood.

“He transported the victim along Stadium Road but later deviated to the Old GRA area, where he attacked her and seized both of her mobile phones. Additionally, on October 10 around 3:00 p.m., Nwanna picked up another female passenger from Tombia Extension in GRA Phase 2, intending to take her to Birabi Street,” she detailed.

During this trip, he stopped his car near Skippers Restaurant, brandished a knife, and threatened to harm the passenger if she tried to alert anyone.

He forcibly stole her iPhone 13, worth N850,000, an iPhone 15 valued at N1.7 million, a Redmi 120 phone priced at N200,000, and AirPods estimated at N350,000,” she added.

Furthermore, Nwanna allegedly took the victim’s Access Bank debit card, a Bible, and 200 US dollars, leaving her without assistance.

Following reports from one of his victims, police acted quickly, leading to Nwanna’s arrest on Farm Road, Rumuosi, Obio/Apkor.

Iringe-Koko mentioned that during the investigation, Nwanna admitted to the crimes and implicated a 38-year-old man named Garba Adamu, a Bureau de Change operator, as his partner in crime.

“Adamu has been apprehended as well and confessed to buying the stolen phones from the second victim,” she stated.

She confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that both suspects will face charges in court upon its completion.