Police arrest five over motorcycle, vehicle theft syndicate in Benue

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Police

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By Peter Duru, Makurdi

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The Benue State Police Command has arrested five suspects allegedly linked to a syndicate specialising in the theft of motorcycles and motor vehicles across Benue and neighbouring states.

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The breakthrough, according to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, followed a petition received by the Commissioner of Police from a resident of Gboko whose motorcycle was allegedly obtained under false pretences.

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Aondongu, in a statement, said the victim reported that his red Bajaj motorcycle, valued at N1.34 million, was deceitfully collected by a suspect who claimed he wanted to borrow it and promised to return it the following day.

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He said following the complaint, detectives attached to the Command Monitoring Unit launched an intelligence-led investigation, including advanced tracking, which resulted in the arrest of the principal suspect.

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“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,” the police spokesman said.

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According to him, further investigation took detectives to Taraba State, where the suspect’s accomplice and three other members of the alleged syndicate were arrested.

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Aondongu said two red Bajaj motorcycles and a Toyota Corolla were recovered from the suspects and taken into police custody as exhibits.

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He added that the Command was intensifying efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate, determine the full extent of their criminal activities and recover other stolen vehicles.

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The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Mr. Cletus Nwadiobu, urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities or suspected criminal conduct to the police.

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“The Command remains committed to protecting lives and property, and ensuring that perpetrators of crime are brought to justice,” Aondongu quoted the CP as saying.

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The police spokesman said the investigation was ongoing in the matter.

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