Police Arrest Syndicate Over Alleged Killings

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested members of a suspected motorcycle-snatching syndicate allegedly linked to the killing of nine people and the theft of 33 motorcycles across Kaduna, Kano and Jigawa states.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Shi’isu Adam, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, on Thursday.

Adam said the syndicate specialised in motorcycle snatching, receiving stolen property and other violent crimes across the three states.

According to him, 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.

“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 LGA.”

He said the police, working with local vigilantes, responded promptly, recovered the stolen motorcycle and arrested the suspect.

Adam said the arrest led to the identification and apprehension of other alleged members of the syndicate operating across the three states.

He added that investigations showed that the suspects were allegedly involved in the theft of at least 33 motorcycles belonging to members of the public.

“During a discreet and painstaking investigation, the suspects reportedly disclosed their involvement in the snatching of no fewer than thirty-three motorcycles belonging to innocent members of the public in different locations.”

The police spokesman said the suspects also allegedly admitted involvement in violent attacks in which some victims were wounded.

“More disturbingly, they reportedly confessed to the alleged killing of nine persons in the course of their criminal activities across the three states.”

The 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.

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.

Adam said the Commissioner of Police, Jigawa State Command, CP Tijjani Murtala, commended the officers involved in the operation.

He also praised a Good Samaritan whose timely intervention contributed to the recovery of the stolen motorcycle and the arrest that led to the wider investigation.

According to the PPRO, “The CP has directed the SCID Dutse to sustain a discreet and professional investigation towards identifying other members of the syndicate.”

He added that the commissioner directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to trace and recover more stolen motorcycles and establish the circumstances surrounding the reported attacks and alleged killings.

The police spokesman said Murtala vowed to ensure that all suspects found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.