Police Bust Benue Vehicle Theft Syndicate, Arrest Five

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

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

The Command described the arrest as a major breakthrough in its efforts to dismantle organised property crime in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Cletus Nwadiobu, disclosed this in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Peter Aondongu, on Wednesday.
According to him, the breakthrough followed a petition from a resident of Gboko, who reported that his red Bajaj motorcycle, valued at N1.34 million, was deceitfully collected from him under false pretence by a suspect who claimed he needed to borrow it and promised to return it the following day.
Following the complaint, detectives attached to the Command Monitoring Unit commenced an intelligence-led investigation, including advanced tracking, which led to the arrest of the principal suspect.
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 statement read: “Further investigation led detectives to Taraba State, where the suspect’s accomplice and three other suspects were arrested. Two red Bajaj motorcycles and one Toyota Corolla were recovered as exhibits.
“The Command is intensifying efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate, establish the full extent of their criminal activities and possibly recover other stolen vehicles.”
The Police Commissioner urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities or suspected criminal conduct to the Police.
He pledged that the Command remains committed to protecting lives and property and ensuring that perpetrators of crime are brought to justice.