Minna, Nigeria – April 8, 2025

The Niger State Police Command has arrested two young men for their alleged involvement in a motorcycle theft ring and the illegal sale of stolen property, as part of ongoing efforts to curb criminal activity in the state.

The suspects—identified as 18-year-old Mohammed Usman and 22-year-old Mohammed Kola—were apprehended by the command’s Crack Squad following a complaint lodged on April 3, according to a statement released Tuesday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun.

The case traces back to March 28, when Usman reportedly boarded a commercial motorcycle to a hotel in the Tunga area near Old City Gate in Minna. After arriving, he allegedly lured the motorcyclist into his hotel room under false pretenses, locked him inside, and fled with the motorcycle.

Following the report, police investigators tracked down and arrested Mohammed Kola—also known as Abdullahi—who was already under surveillance for a separate case involving criminal force and assault during a gang-related altercation at a mining site in Paiko.

According to SP Abiodun, Kola eventually led officers to the same Paiko mining site, where Usman was waiting to hand over the stolen motorcycle. Both suspects were taken into custody, and two motorcycles were recovered as evidence.

“Abdullahi confessed that Usman brought the motorcycles to him for sale,” the statement said. “Usman also admitted to stealing one of the motorcycles earlier in March from Obajana, Kogi State, at a mining site.”

The two suspects are currently undergoing further investigation at the Crack Squad office in Minna, while authorities work to trace additional accomplices and stolen property.

The Niger State Police Command reiterated its commitment to sustaining its anti-crime operations across the state and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement.