Police bust syndicate supplying motorcycles to Boko Haram in Niger, Kaduna

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have dismantled a syndicate allegedly involved in selling motorcycles to Boko Haram terrorists in Niger and Kaduna states.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 7, Benneth Igweh, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Zone’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

Igweh stated that, acting on credible intelligence, detectives apprehended three suspects in Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State.

He identified the suspects as Shamsuddeen Yunusa, 30; Zaharadeen Saidu, 25; and Mustapha Haruna, 22, adding that a total of 22 motorcycles, multiple master keys, and stolen phones were recovered from the suspects.

According to him, the syndicate specialises in the trade and modification of stolen motorcycles, which are sold or rented to criminals, including suspected Boko Haram operatives active in parts of Niger State and Birnin Gwari Local Government Area in Kaduna State.

Recovered items from syndicate supplying motorcycles to Boko Haram in Niger, Kaduna. Photo Credit: Police

He said, “In a proactive move to destabilize criminal activities, crime financing, and enabling in the FCT, Niger State, and its environs, detectives of the Zone 7 Headquarters were deployed to Suleja LGA, Niger State, where they successfully apprehended three suspects, namely: Shamsuddeen Yunusa, male, 30 years, from Hong LGA, Adamawa State; Zaharadeen Saidu, male, 25 years, from Soba LGA, Kaduna State; and Mustapha Haruna, male, 22 years, from Gwami, Adamawa State. Twenty-two motorcycles, different types of master keys, and stolen phones were recovered from them.

“The syndicate specializes in buying and selling stolen motorcycles in Suleja, Niger State. They further sell or hire these motorcycles to criminals believed to be Boko Haram elements terrorizing parts of Niger State and Birnin Gwari LGA, Kaduna State.

“The leader of the gang, Shamsuddeen, revealed that he sells the motorcycles at the rate of ₦200,000 to ₦250,000. He further added that he recently received ₦250,000 from one Ibrahim Kabiru, who resides in Birnin Gwari LGA, Kaduna State, as part payment for the supply of Bajaj motorcycles.

“Zaharadeen, on the other hand, is the courier of the motorcycles to the intending buyers. He voluntarily confessed to delivering motorcycles he collects from Shamsuddeen to one Mustapha in Suleja Town. Mustapha Haruna is the motorcycle mechanic of the syndicate. He fixes the stolen motorcycles before their delivery to customers.”

In a separate operation, Igweh also revealed that Zone 7 operatives arrested Sunday Danlami, a member of a notorious armed robbery and kidnapping gang operating in Benue State.

Igweh noted that Danlami confessed to being among those who kidnapped 21 doctors in Benue State in 2024.

He added that two other suspects are currently at large.

Igweh said, “This gang specializes in armed robbery and kidnapping in Benue State and its environs.

“According to Sunday Danlami, he admitted to being among the gang responsible for the kidnapping of 21 doctors in Benue State last August. He further revealed that he has carried out several robbery operations on Adiga Road, where he has snatched different motorcycles from travellers. He sells these motorcycles and shares the proceeds with his gang members.

“He, however, revealed that he uses a lot of charms for protection whenever he is going out on any operation.”