Operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, have busted a criminal syndicate allegedly involved in the theft and sale of motorcycles across Sagamu, Ijebu Ode, and neighbouring communities in Ogun State.

The police said the gang was linked to the theft and illegal sale of over 50 motorcycles within the affected areas.

Three suspected members of the syndicate, identified as Ibrahim Saliu, 26; Abdullahi Usman, 48; and Sulaimon Mohammed, 29, were arrested during the operation.

The suspects were apprehended following a petition submitted to the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh.

According to the spokesperson of the Zone 2 Police Command, DSP Gbenga Afolayan, operatives attached to the command’s Dragon Team launched an intensive intelligence and surveillance operation after receiving the petition.

“On the strength of this petition, operatives from the Zone 2 Headquarters Dragon Team launched an intensive surveillance and intelligence gathering operation to track and uncover the syndicate’s operational network,” Afolayan stated.

He disclosed that the police laid an ambush around the Sagamu Interchange area on May 19, 2026, leading to the successful arrest of the suspects.

“On 19th May, 2026, the operatives strategically laid an ambush at the syndicate’s meeting point around Sagamu Interchange area, leading to the successful arrest of three suspects identified as Ibrahim Saliu (male, 26 years), Abdullahi Usman (male, 48 years) and Sulaimon Mohammed (male, 29 years),” he said.

According to preliminary investigations, Ibrahim Saliu and two other suspects currently at large specialised in stealing motorcycles during late-night operations, usually between 1:00 am and 4:00 am.

The police said the gang allegedly towed motorcycles from where they were parked before forcefully unlocking the steering systems and manipulating the electrical wiring to start the engines.

Investigations further revealed that the stolen motorcycles were later handed over to other members of the syndicate for disposal in different parts of the country.

“Findings also disclosed that the stolen motorcycles were subsequently handed over to Abdullahi Usman, Sulaimon Mohammed and others still at large at the Sagamu Interchange area for onward disposal,” the statement added.

The police recovered five motorcycles during the operation, including three unregistered Bajaj Boxer motorcycles, one unregistered Daylong motorcycle, and one unregistered Lifan motorcycle.

DSP Afolayan stated that intelligence gathered during interrogation showed that the syndicate sold stolen motorcycles in locations including Ogere, Ojodu Berger, Mushin, and other parts of the country.

Further investigation also revealed that the gang and its accomplices had stolen and sold about 50 motorcycles within the Sagamu and Ijebu Ode axis.

The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal network based on information provided by the arrested suspects.

Meanwhile, AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh has directed operatives to intensify efforts toward the arrest of all remaining suspects and ensure diligent prosecution upon completion of investigations (TRIBUNE)