The Zamfara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended a notorious gang and criminal syndicates specializing in motorcycle theft along the Furfuri and Bungudu axis.
According to Sani Mustapha, the State Commandant of the Corps, operatives of the NSCDC in Zamfara took action on April 26, 2024, by cracking down on a notorious gang of thieves who attempted to steal a Bajaj motorcycle from a commercial motorcyclist in the Gada Biyu area of Gusau.
Mustapha disclosed that Abdulkarim Usman, aged 29, Aminu Ibrahim, aged 28, and Naziru Bala, aged 20, collaborated with Sani Samaila, a motorcycle dealer at the Yan Dole motorcycle market in Gusau, to perpetrate the crime of killing and snatching a Bajaj motorcycle bearing plate number TMA 162 QH from its owner.
“These criminals who confessed to the crime said that they struck the victim with a hard stick known as Gwora with the intent to kill him and make away with the motorcycle before they were arrested due to the timely intervention of the Operatives of the NSCDC. Fortunately enough the victim is alive and receiving treatment”, he added.
“The notorious gang also confessed that they had snatched a motorcycle from a victim shortly before the Ramadan period and sold it to Sani Samaila at the rate of N170,000.00 who had assured them of buying any motorcycle snatched successfully and brought to him.
“Two Bajaj motorcycles were recovered from these criminals as exhibits.”
Mustapha further said the suspects will be arraigned in court for criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt, and theft contrary to sections 59, 221 and 278 respectively of the Zamfara State Penal Code laws No. 18, 2022.
He also paraded another notorious group of individuals who participated actively in breaching public peace and burning down the operation vehicle of the Corps on April 10, 2024, during the Eid prayers at the central Eid ground in Gusau.
He opined that this group of individuals had planned to cause mayhem at the Eid praying ground as revenge for a fight they had at a gold mining site in Niger Republic with a group called Yan arle.
The State NSCDC boss said the group known as Yan Fegi lost the fight and plotted a reprisal on Sallah day.
“This hindrance enraged the Yan Sabo Fegi group who were heavily armed and they decided to attack the operatives of the Corps, injuring the armless operatives and making dangerous advances toward the armed personnel. This act led to the death of one teenage girl and the injury of others who are undergoing treatment.
“These hoodlums also went after the operational vehicle of the Corps which was a kilometer away from the crisis scene, looted it, and stole valuables including personnel handsets in the vehicle, inflamed one of their shirts, and set the vehicle ablaze,” he said.
The Commandant said one Samaila Garba, aka Commander, Mubarak Ahmad aka Dawa, Auwal Mohammed, and Babangida Abubakar have been arrested while one Ukasha, Bashir Shobanke, Ibrahim Lokon Goro, and Shuaibu Killer are currently at large.
“These suspects were arrested at the scene with dangerous weapons such as dangers/swords numbering 8, two hard sticks called Gwora, one fetish shield called Sakala, charms, and amulets, etc as exhibits,” he added.
According to him, the suspects will be arraigned in court for criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt, inciting public peace, obstruction of public servants from carrying out lawful duties, and unlawful possession of weapons contrary to sections 59, 221, 78, 76, and 396 respectively of the Zamfara State Penal Code laws No 18, 2022, after a thorough investigation.
He, therefore, warned miscreants to desist from fermenting crises as the law will deal decisively with anyone caught without hesitation.
