The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested members of a notorious motorcycle-snatching syndicate for allegedly killing nine persons and stealing 33 motorcycles across three states.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Jigawa State Police Command, SP Shi’isu Adam.

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 one Okada rider in Aujara District, Jahun LGA.”

He said following the incident, the police, in collaboration with vigilantes, responded promptly, recovered the stolen motorcycle and apprehended the suspect.

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

He added that, “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 PPRO further stated that the suspects allegedly revealed their involvement in violent attacks during which some victims were wounded and injured.

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

Giving the identities of the suspects, the police spokesman listed them 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 police personnel involved in the operation.

He added that the CP also commended the Good Samaritan whose timely intervention contributed to the recovery of the stolen motorcycle and the arrest that led to the wider breakthrough.

The PPRO said, “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 CP also directed the SCID to trace and recover additional stolen motorcycles, establish the circumstances surrounding the reported attacks and alleged killings.

The police spokesman said the Commissioner vowed to ensure that all suspects found culpable are prosecuted in accordance with the law.