Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force have arrested a criminal syndicate involved in supplying motorcycles to Boko Haram terrorists operating in Niger and Kaduna States.
Motorcycles are widely used by terrorist groups in Northern Nigeria for conducting kidnappings and launching attacks on local communities.

During a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone 7, Benneth Igweh, revealed that the arrests were made following intelligence-led operations in Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State.

Arrests and Seizures
Three suspects were apprehended:

Shamsuddeen Yunusa, 30, from Hong LGA, Adamawa State
Zaharadeen Saidu, 25, from Soba LGA, Kaduna State
Mustapha Haruna, 22, from Gwami, Adamawa State
Authorities also recovered 22 motorcycles, various master keys, and stolen mobile phones from the suspects.

Modus Operandi of the Syndicate
The group is allegedly involved in the trafficking and modification of stolen motorcycles, which are then sold or rented to criminal elements, including suspected Boko Haram operatives in Niger and Kaduna States.

According to AIG Igweh, the syndicate specializes in selling stolen motorcycles in Suleja, with prices ranging from ₦200,000 to ₦250,000.

“The syndicate further sells or hires these motorcycles to criminals believed to be Boko Haram elements terrorizing parts of Niger State and Birnin Gwari LGA, Kaduna State.”

Roles of the Arrested Individuals
Shamsuddeen Yunusa: Identified as the leader of the gang, he confessed to selling motorcycles to criminals, including a man named Ibrahim Kabiru in Birnin Gwari LGA, Kaduna State.
Zaharadeen Saidu: Acted as the courier, transporting the motorcycles to buyers.
Mustapha Haruna: Served as the mechanic, repairing and modifying the stolen motorcycles before they were delivered.

The police investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being made to track down other collaborators involved in the illegal trade.

Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, under Operation Fansan Yamma, have seized a large cache of firearms and ammunition in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, according to counter-terrorism expert Zagazola Makama.

Makama disclosed the incident on Tuesday via his verified X account, stating that the operation, which took place between January 26 and 27, was based on credible intelligence about suspected arms dealers operating from Niger Republic.

“The suspects were intercepted along the Kaura Namoda-Zurmi Road. The troops launched a covert operation to track the suspects, leading to a pursuit,” Makama revealed.

He added that the suspects attempted to escape by diverting their vehicle into the bush but were forced to abandon it after being engaged by troops.

“A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of two PKT machine guns, nine AK-47 rifles, 13 magazines, 171 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and nine rounds of PKT ammunition,” he disclosed.

While the suspects managed to flee, security forces are reportedly intensifying efforts to track and apprehend them.

The Imo State Police Command has arrested four suspects including a police inspector in connection with the murder of Barrister Chinedu Nwowu.

The police inspector identified as Augustine Odidika was reportedly arrested last Thursday shortly after the gruesome murder of Nwowu in Mgbidi Town last Wednesday.

SaharaReporters learned that the police inspector had threatened to kill the lawyer for which he petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police for threats to live, a petition that was yet to be investigated before he was murdered.

Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Owerri Branch, Chief Chris Ihentuge, revealed this development to SaharaReporters on Tuesday in a telephone interview.

According to him, the police informed the NBA delegation, during a visit to the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, on Monday.

“During the meeting, the Bar leaders urged the Police to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice. They assured the Police of the willingness of the Bar to collaborate and support the ongoing investigation,” he said.

However, during discussions, the police informed the delegation that investigations have commenced, adding that the case file and suspects had been transferred from the Mgbidi Police Division to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

“The Deputy Commissioner of Police disclosed that four suspects, including a serving Inspector of Police who is also the deceased’s kinsman, have been arrested in connection with the murder. Efforts are also underway to apprehend a warrant officer serving in Enugu who has been implicated in the case,” he said.

He added, “The Police Chiefs assured the Bar of an impartial and thorough investigation. They emphasized that the involvement of a serving police officer would not hinder the pursuit of justice, vowing to prosecute all those responsible for this crime.”

He explained that the reason they were showing much interest was because of the involvement of a police inspector.

He said, “You know they may like to use his position to influence whatever but the commissioner and deputy commissioner have assured us that no matter how highly placed the people involved are that they will do the needful. And one of the persons that they are still looking for is a Warrant Officer in the Army, he is serving in Enugu.

“So they are also putting things in place to make sure that he is apprehended. We assured them that we are going to cooperate with them in whatever they are doing to make sure that justice is served. So the NBA is ready and willing to assist, the person that was murdered is our colleague, so we can’t leave like that.”

He revealed that in the past two years, four lawyers had been killed in the state by unknown assailants.

“Let us say in the past two years, more than four of our colleagues have been killed whether by known people or unknown persons. Last time when a chairman of customary court was murdered in court at Agwa in Oguta local government, we boycotted court, had a protest march to the office of the commissioner of police.

“We are still looking out at the other options but we want to watch how police will investigate this matter,” he said.

Regarding whether the NBA is going to support the police with money to carry out the investigation, he said, “I know in this case that having known that NBA is interested they may not demand money for investigation but if money will prevent it, NBA will fund whatever investigation.

“It is part of our obligation and we do it for people who are not lawyers and what about somebody that is our colleague. So if money will stop the investigation, NBA will come in to help.

“Even the NBA at the national level is also interested in the matter. The president of the association, Mazi Afam Osigwe has been calling us to find out what is happening. So everybody is interested in the matter.”

On whether there has been any clue as to why the lawyer was killed, the NBA branch chairman said the investigation will unravel that, warning against speculation.

He said, “Honestly, I cannot say, all these things will be unraveled by the police investigation, we cannot prejudge the investigation.

“Let them come out with their investigation, it is not good to speculate on some of these things. But the policeman that was arrested, I learned that there was a petition written by the deceased to the Assistant Inspector General of Police against this policeman for threats to his life and the man said that he would kill the lawyer.

“As a result, he wrote the petition for which was yet to be treated before he was murdered.”