Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have successfully dismantled a syndicate involved in the illegal trade of motorcycles to Boko Haram terrorists in Niger and Kaduna states. The syndicate, which specializes in the trade and modification of stolen motorcycles, was allegedly selling or renting these motorcycles to criminals, including suspected Boko Haram operatives actively operating in parts of Niger State and the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area in Kaduna State.
This major breakthrough was made possible by a proactive intelligence-driven operation carried out by the Nigeria Police Force Zone 7 detectives, led by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Benneth Igweh. Acting on credible information, the police were able to track down and apprehend three suspects involved in the illicit business in Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State. The three suspects were identified as Shamsuddeen Yunusa (30 years old), from Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State; Zaharadeen Saidu (25 years old), from Soba Local Government Area of Kaduna State; and Mustapha Haruna (22 years old), from Gwami, Adamawa State.
The police recovered a total of 22 stolen motorcycles, multiple master keys, and stolen mobile phones from the suspects during the operation. The gang, which had been operating for some time in Suleja, Niger State, was known to buy and sell stolen motorcycles. According to the police, these motorcycles were then either sold or hired out to criminals and insurgents, including Boko Haram members. The leader of the syndicate, Shamsuddeen Yunusa, admitted to selling the motorcycles at a price range of ₦200,000 to ₦250,000 each.
Further investigation revealed that Shamsuddeen had recently received ₦250,000 from one Ibrahim Kabiru, a buyer residing in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, as part of the payment for supplying Bajaj motorcycles. Additionally, Zaharadeen Saidu was identified as the courier responsible for transporting the motorcycles to the buyers, while Mustapha Haruna, who served as the mechanic for the syndicate, was responsible for fixing the stolen motorcycles before they were delivered to customers.
The police also revealed that the syndicate operated with a high level of coordination, with each member performing specific roles in the operation. Shamsuddeen, as the leader, was in charge of acquiring and selling the stolen motorcycles, while Zaharadeen, the courier, ensured the delivery of motorcycles to buyers, and Mustapha, the mechanic, made necessary repairs to ensure the motorcycles were operational and ready for sale.
In a separate operation within the same jurisdiction, AIG Igweh also revealed the arrest of another criminal, Sunday Danlami, a member of a notorious armed robbery and kidnapping gang operating in Benue State. Danlami is reportedly involved in several armed robbery and kidnapping activities, including the kidnapping of 21 doctors in Benue State in 2024. Danlami confessed to being one of the gang members responsible for the kidnapping operation, adding that he had also been involved in multiple robbery incidents along Adiga Road, where he had snatched motorcycles from unsuspecting travelers.
Danlami disclosed that he would sell the stolen motorcycles and share the proceeds with his gang members. He also admitted to using charms for protection during his criminal operations. Two other members of his gang are reportedly still at large, and the police have intensified efforts to apprehend them.
These recent arrests and discoveries have not only highlighted the illegal activities taking place within Niger and Kaduna states but also underscored the serious threat posed by such criminal syndicates in supporting insurgency and terrorism. The dismantling of this syndicate is seen as a significant achievement in the ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Police Force to combat terrorism and criminal activities in the northern region and the entire country.
The police authorities have vowed to continue their efforts in destabilizing criminal operations and cutting off funding channels for terrorism in Niger, Kaduna, and surrounding areas, and to ensure that the perpetrators of such heinous crimes are brought to justice.
