The Nigerian Police Force has arrested a syndicate accused of supplying motorcycles to Boko Haram operatives in Niger and Kaduna states,Daily Trust reports.
Motorcycles are commonly used by terrorists in Northern Nigeria for kidnappings and attacks on communities.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone 7, Benneth Igweh, stated that acting on credible intelligence, detectives arrested three suspects in Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State. The suspects were identified as Shamsuddeen Yunusa (30), Zaharadeen Saidu (25), and Mustapha Haruna (22). Authorities recovered 22 motorcycles, various master keys, and stolen phones from the suspects.
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Igweh explained that the group specialized in trading and modifying stolen motorcycles, which were then sold or rented to criminals, including suspected Boko Haram elements operating in parts of Niger and Kaduna states.
He said, “In a proactive effort to disrupt criminal activities, financing, and enablers in the Federal Capital Territory, Niger State, and surrounding areas, detectives from Zone 7 Headquarters were dispatched to Suleja LGA, Niger State. They successfully apprehended three suspects: Shamsuddeen Yunusa, a 30-year-old from Hong LGA, Adamawa State; Zaharadeen Saidu, a 25-year-old from Soba LGA, Kaduna State; and Mustapha Haruna, a 22-year-old from Gwami, Adamawa State. Recovered items include 22 motorcycles, master keys, and stolen phones.
“The syndicate specializes in acquiring and selling stolen motorcycles in Suleja, Niger State, and further sells or rents them to criminals, including suspected Boko Haram members terrorizing parts of Niger State and Birnin Gwari LGA, Kaduna State.
“The gang leader, Shamsuddeen, admitted to selling the motorcycles for ₦200,000 to ₦250,000. He revealed receiving ₦250,000 as a partial payment from one Ibrahim Kabiru in Birnin Gwari LGA, Kaduna State, for the supply of Bajaj motorcycles.
“Zaharadeen serves as the courier, delivering motorcycles from Shamsuddeen to buyers. He confessed to transporting motorcycles to Mustapha in Suleja Town. Mustapha Haruna, the syndicate’s mechanic, repairs the stolen motorcycles before their delivery to customers.”
