The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested members of a suspected motorcycle-snatching syndicate allegedly responsible for the killing of nine people and the theft of 33 motorcycles across Jigawa, Kano and Kaduna states.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Jigawa, SP Shi’isu Adam, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Dutse on Thursday.

Adam said the syndicate specialised in motorcycle snatching, receiving stolen property and other violent crimes across the three states.

He said the police uncovered the group following an incident in which one of the suspects allegedly attacked and stole a motorcycle from an Okada rider in Aujara District, Jahun Local Government Area.

According to him, police operatives, working with local vigilantes, responded to the incident, recovered the stolen motorcycle and arrested one of the suspects.

The suspect’s arrest reportedly led investigators to other members of the syndicate and uncovered their alleged involvement in several motorcycle thefts and killings.

The command said investigations were ongoing to establish the full extent of the group’s activities and identify other persons connected with the alleged crimes.

The police also said efforts were being made to recover more stolen motorcycles and apprehend other suspects linked to the syndicate.