The Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, has dismantled a criminal syndicate involved in stealing motorcycles across Lagos and Ogun states, arresting three alleged suspects during a coordinated operation.

This is contained in a statement by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Zone, Olohundare Jimoh and signed by the Zone 2 spokesperson, DSP Gbenga Afolayan, on Wednesday in Lagos.

Mr Jimoh also said that  five stolen motorcycles were recovered from the operation.

He said that the breakthrough followed an intensive investigation into the activities of a notorious gang specialised in 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,” he said.

The AIG said that preliminary investigations showed that the syndicate and two other suspects currently at large specialised in stealing motorcycles in the early hours of the morning, 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, ” he said.

The police boss further said that the stolen motorcycles were handed over to receivers at the Sagamu Interchange area for onward sale.

He said that items recovered during the operation include three unregistered Bajaj Boxer motorcycles, one unregistered Daylong motorcycle and one unregistered Lifan motorcycle.

Mr Jimoh said that further investigation showed that the syndicate had stolen and sold about 50 motorcycles across the Sagamu and Ijebu Ode axis.

According to him, efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal network based on information provided by the arrested suspects.

The AIG directed operatives to intensify efforts to arrest the fleeing suspects and ensure diligent prosecution upon conclusion of investigations. 

(NAN)