Enyioha Opara, Minna
The Niger State Police Command has arrested a three-man gang of motorcycle thieves at different locations in the Bida Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects, Aliyu Aliyu, 30, of Mokwale area, Bida; Dauda Ibrahim, 34, of Eyaruwa area of Bida; and Umaru Garba, 32, of Area 1, Bida, were apprehended by a team of policemen from the ‘B’ Division following a tip-off.
It was learnt that Aliyu had been dispossessing residents of their motorcycles, which he usually sold to one of his accomplices, Ibrahim, for some years now before they found themselves in the police net.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Aliyu, out of the seven motorcycles he allegedly stole from unsuspected residents of Bida, sold five to Ibrahim.
Checks also revealed that Garba was also dispossessing residents of their motorcycles and selling them to Ibrahim.
Aliyu, a father of four, told our correspondent that it was the devil that led him into the criminal act.
He stated, “My wife knows that I am a motorcycle thief and that I always dispossess innocent people of their motorcycles and other valuables. I am a thief and I know my mother will regret having me as her son; it’s unfortunate.
“My wife had been warning me to stop the act and be useful to my family; I am ruined; I have dragged my good family name in the mud and I pray they will forgive me.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Abubakar, confirmed the arrest on Thursday, saying the suspects had confessed to the crime.
Abubakar said the suspects also disclosed that another seven motorcycles were sold to one Aman of Kpakungu, who is now at large.
He added that the operatives recovered from them five motorcycles, adding that the matter would be charged to court after investigation.
