NEW PHONE ROBBERY TRICK IN ASABA: KEKE (TRICYCLE) GANGS DEVISE SMART METHOD TO STEAL PASSENGERS’ PHONES

- By Ike Philip Abiagom 

As the festive season draws closer, residents of Asaba, Delta State, are being urged to stay vigilant following the emergence of a new and increasingly common trick used by Keke robbers to dispossess unsuspecting passengers of their mobile phones.

According to multiple reports gathered across the metropolis, a syndicate operating with commercial tricycles has devised a coordinated method that exploits the trust and distraction of passengers.

The scheme typically begins when a passenger boards a Keke already carrying two or three occupants. After moving a short distance—usually two or three electric poles—the driver suddenly brings the tricycle to a halt, pretending that the Keke has developed a mechanical fault.

Witnesses say the driver then steps out and, with a sense of urgency, asks the passengers to assist him in lifting the Keke so he can “shake the fuel tank” or “check the carburetor.” Believing it to be a harmless request, unsuspecting passengers join in helping to raise the tricycle.

However, unknown to the victim, one of the supposed passengers—who is actually part of the gang—has already targeted the victim’s phone. Once the victim focuses on lifting the Keke, the thief quietly removes the phone from the person’s pocket or bag.

As soon as the Keke is back on the road, the gang member carrying the stolen phone quickly drops off under the guise of continuing on foot. By the time the victim discovers that his or her phone was  missing, the thief had vanished, and the remaining “passengers” blend in innocently, leaving no one to hold responsible.

This method, now trending across different parts of Asaba, has left several residents recounting similar experiences in recent days.

Security watchers warn that the tactic is especially rampant during the festive season when there is increased movement, overcrowding, and higher incidences of crime.

They advise:

SAFETY TIPS FOR COMMUTERS

1. If a Keke driver stops suddenly and asks for help to push or lift the tricycle, politely decline and get down immediately.

2. Do not assist in lifting a Keke under any circumstance—simply walk away and take another ride.

3. Keep your phone and valuables inside zipped bags or in front of you where you can feel them.

4. Avoid entering tricycles already crowded with unfamiliar faces.

5. Stay alert during festive periods when criminals become more active.

Concerned citizens are calling on security agencies and vigilante groups to increase surveillance, especially around major junctions and busy routes in Asaba.

As the holidays approach, residents are reminded that personal security begins with personal awareness—and staying one step ahead of criminal tricks like this could prevent painful losses.