Civil Defence Busts Motorcycle Snatching Syndicate, Arrests 2 Suspects

Zamfara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has paraded two suspected members of a motorcycle-snatching syndicate.

The parade followed the arrests made on April 24 and April 26, 2026, as part of the command’s renewed offensive against violent crimes targeting commercial motorcyclists across the state.

Parading the suspects, the command’s spokesperson, Umar Mohammad, said they were arrested in Gusau and Bukkuyum, and that a Boxer motorcycle valued at N1,075,000 was recovered.

The corps identified the suspects as Bashir Hassan Dan Musa and Tanimu Muhammad, who were arrested in the Saminaka area, Gusau, and at Nasarawa Burkullu Market in Bukkuyyum LGA, respectively.

According to the NSCDC, preliminary investigations revealed that Bashir Hassan hails from Mainamaje, Yankari Gate, Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State.

He was found in possession of a suspected stolen Boxer (Bajaj) motorcycle with engine no. DUXWSK29968.

Hassan allegedly confessed to working with a gang of four accomplices: Bashir Muhammad and Lele, alongside Uzairu Musa, 20, of Azare, behind Koli Filling Station, and Abdulrashid Abubakar, 30, of Bakin Kura, Bauchi State.

“The suspects conspired and operated as passengers in pairs. They forcefully cease motorcycles from commercial bikers,” NSCDC said.

The NSCDC image maker hinted that the gang was linked to similar attacks between April 22 and April 24, 2026, near Huda University, off Sokoto Bypass Road and in Labin-Labin area, Tudun Wada, Gusau.

“In one attack, the victim was rendered unconscious after being struck on the head and is currently hospitalised at Yeriman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau,”  he added

He said Tanimu Muhammadu, the second suspect, confessed to disguising himself as a passenger at Nasarawa Burkullu Market.

“He tricked the commercial motorcyclist and ran away with a black and white Bajaj bike,” the corps said. He was arrested by NSCDC operatives while attempting to flee.

According to him, the state commandant, Sani Mustapha, said the arrests aligned with the directive of the commandant-general, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to ensure “civil-centered access to justice” through proactive crime prevention.

“NSCDC has zero tolerance for criminal conspiracy, violence, theft, criminality and any unethical vices,” the statement read.

He assured that all the suspects will face an astute investigation and, upon completion, will be arraigned before a competent court of law for prosecution.

The NSCDC confirmed that Bashir Muhammad and Lele remain at large, and urged members of the public with useful information to contact the command.