Police arrest three suspected motorcycle thieves, recover five bikes

The Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, has dismantled a criminal syndicate allegedly involved in motorcycle theft operations across Lagos and Ogun states, leading to the arrest of three suspected members during a coordinated raid.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, and signed by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Gbenga Afolayan.

According to Jimoh, operatives also recovered five suspected stolen motorcycles during the operation.

The AIG explained that the breakthrough followed an extensive investigation into the activities of a notorious gang known for stealing motorcycles within the Sagamu and Ijebu Ode areas of Ogun State.

“The operation was launched after a formal petition dated April 12, was submitted to the zone headquarters concerning the activities of the syndicate.

“Investigations revealed that the gang steals motorcycles in Sagamu and Ijebu Ode, before selling them to buyers in Ogere, Ojodu Berger, Mushin and some other parts of the country.

“Operatives of the Zone 2 ‘Dragon Team’ thereafter commenced surveillance and intelligence gathering to track members of the syndicate and uncover their operational network.

“The operatives laid an ambush around the Sagamu Interchange area on May 19, leading to the arrest of three suspects whose ages are, 26, 29 and 48,” Jimoh said.

He further disclosed that preliminary findings showed that the syndicate, alongside two other suspects currently at large, specialised in stealing motorcycles during the early hours of the day, usually between 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m.

“The gang also tow motorcycles from where they are parked, before they forcefully unlock the steering systems and manipulate electrical wires to start the engines,” the AIG stated.

Jimoh added that the stolen motorcycles were usually handed over to receivers operating around the Sagamu Interchange area for onward sale.

Items recovered during the operation included three unregistered Bajaj Boxer motorcycles, one unregistered Daylong motorcycle, and one unregistered Lifan motorcycle.

The police boss further revealed that investigations indicated that the syndicate had allegedly stolen and sold about 50 motorcycles across the Sagamu and Ijebu Ode axis.

According to him, efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang based on information supplied by the arrested suspects.

Jimoh also directed operatives of the command to intensify efforts toward arresting the remaining suspects and ensuring diligent prosecution after investigations are concluded.

Police arrest three suspected motorcycle thieves, recover five bikes