The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested members of a suspected motorcycle-snatching syndicate for allegedly killing nine people and stealing 33 motorcycles across three states.
In a statement on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Shi’isu Adam, said the syndicate specialised in motorcycle snatching, receiving stolen property and other violent crimes across Kaduna, Kano and Jigawa states.
He said the breakthrough followed an incident in which one of the suspects allegedly attacked and snatched a motorcycle from an Okada rider in Aujara District, Jahun Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
According to the statement, following the incident, the police, in collaboration with vigilantes, responded promptly, recovered the stolen motorcycle and apprehended the suspect.
The arrest, it added, led to the identification and apprehension of other alleged members of the syndicate operating across the three states.
“During a discreet and painstaking investigation, the suspects reportedly disclosed their involvement in the snatching of no fewer than 33 motorcycles belonging to innocent members of the public in different locations,” the statement said.
The police said the suspects also reportedly confessed to the alleged killing of nine persons in the course of their criminal activities across the three states.
The arrested suspects were identified as Ado Saleh, alias Datti, 55, of Kawari village, Ajingi LGA, Kano State; Abdullahi Saidu, 37, of Kwanar Dangora village, Kano State; and Magaji Danladi of Auramo Quarters, Ringim LGA, Jigawa State.
Others are Sabiu Miko of Kaugama LGA; Habibu Dan Iya of Didi village, Gagarawa LGA; Shamsu Sani, 32, of Ajingi LGA, Kano State; Ali Salisu, 40, of Yanbaru settlement, Sule Tankarkar LGA; Alhassan Isa, alias Tata, of Shuwarin, Kiyawa LGA; and Ado Ali of Baranda village, Dutse LGA.
The command said the Commissioner of Police, Jigawa State Command, CP Tijjani Murtala, commended the police personnel involved in the operation.