---

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Nasarawa State has arrested a five-man syndicate of motorcycle thieves who disguised as police officers.

The arrested suspects were namely: Aminu Adamu, Adamu Mohammed, Rilwanu Bala, Kabiru Usman and Bashir A. Bashir, according to a statement by Nasarawa Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel on Monday.

Nansel said police operatives attached to Masaka Division acted on information that led to suspects arrest.

“On 03/07/2022 at about 1435hrs, police operatives attached to Masaka Division, while acting on credible information, smashed a notorious syndicate of motorcycle thieves that operates between AYA Junction FCT Abuja and Keffi, Nasarawa State.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects posed as police officers, hire commercial motorcycle riders to a location where one of the syndicate members poses as an Assistant Superintendent of Police and dispossessed the rider of his motorcycle.

“The suspects confessed to have snatched over 30 motorcycles and they produce fake receipts and sell them off to unsuspecting members of the public,” he said.

The statement added that the suspects would be charged to Court after further investigations.

The exhibits recovered include a “Peugeot 406 Blue in colour with registration number ABJ 963 NW, Two (2) fake Police warrant cards, two (2) fake Police Community Relations (PCRC) Identification cards, were recovered from the suspects.

Others are, “One (1) spray teargas, one (1) pear of Handcuff, one(1) Walkie Talkie, Blank Motorcycle receipts booklet and criminal charms.”