Nigeria: Police bust motorcycle, car theft syndicate in Benue, arrest five suspects
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria
The Benue State Police Command has arrested five suspects linked to an alleged syndicate specializing in the theft of motorcycles and vehicles across Benue and neighboring states.
The arrests followed an intelligence-led investigation by the Command’s Monitoring Unit after a resident of Gboko petitioned the Commissioner of Police over a stolen motorcycle.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, the victim reported that his red Bajaj motorcycle, valued at N1.34 million, was collected under false pretenses.
The suspect had approached the owner, claimed he wanted to borrow the bike, and promised to return it the next day. He never did.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was involved in the theft of other motorcycles and a Toyota Corolla, which were subsequently disposed of in Dan-Anacha, Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State,” Aondongu said in a statement on Monday.
Using advanced tracking and intelligence gathering, detectives arrested the principal suspect in Benue.
Further investigation led operatives to Taraba State, where police arrested the suspect’s alleged accomplice and three other members of the syndicate.
Items recovered from them include two red Bajaj motorcycles and a Toyota Corolla. The vehicles have been taken into police custody as exhibits.
Aondongu said the Command is working to apprehend other fleeing members of the group, determine the full scope of their operations, and recover additional stolen vehicles.
Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Cletus Nwadiobu, commended the Monitoring Unit for the operation and urged residents to remain alert.
“The Command remains committed to protecting lives and property, and ensuring that perpetrators of crime are brought to justice,” the CP said, according to Aondongu.
He also advised members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities and avoid lending vehicles or motorcycles to strangers without proper identification.
The police spokesman said investigations are ongoing to trace other stolen items and identify buyers and receivers in the alleged disposal chain in Taraba.
Motorcycle and vehicle theft has been a recurring concern in Benue and surrounding states, with many stolen bikes often moved across state borders for quick sale.
Police said the breakthrough demonstrates the importance of prompt reporting and intelligence sharing between communities and security agencies.
All five suspects remain in custody and will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.
