The Adamawa State Police Command has announced a major breakthrough in its ongoing fight against organized crime, dismantling a seven-man syndicate notorious for stealing and illegally trading tricycles and motorcycles across the Yola metropolis.
The revelation came via the Command’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle on June 24, 2025, where it detailed the success of a strategic, intelligence-led operation carried out by operatives from the State Intelligence Department (SID). The operation not only led to the arrest of the suspects but also the recovery of two stolen TVS tricycles and one Jincheng motorcycle.
The clampdown began with the arrest of Mohammed Alhaji, 25, of Hulere Ward in Yola North Local Government Area, who, under intense interrogation, confessed to being a key member of the syndicate. His statement opened the lid on a deeply entrenched criminal network operating in and around Yola.
According to Alhaji, Jafar Babangida, 19, also from Hulere Ward, was responsible for stealing the two TVS tricycles from separate locations in Yola. The duo then sold one of the stolen vehicles to Ziyau Garba, 38, of Sangere, and the second to Bawuro Ibrahim, 37, of Vinikilang, who subsequently resold it to Sahabi Mohammed, 35, also of Vinikilang Ward in Girei LGA.
Further investigations revealed that Jafar was also behind the theft of a Jincheng motorcycle, which he later dismantled in collaboration with Lukman Usman, a 15-year-old accomplice from Hulere Ward. The stripped parts were sold to Auwal Musa, 30, of Nyakore Ward in Yola North LGA.
All seven individuals implicated in the criminal web have been arrested and voluntarily confessed to their roles in the illegal operations. The Police Command is intensifying its investigation to uncover further leads, recover more stolen assets, and apprehend additional suspects connected to the syndicate.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Dankombo Morris, psc(+), lauded the dedication and professionalism of the officers involved in the operation. He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
> “This success is a testament to the effectiveness of proactive policing and community collaboration. We count on the continued support of the public in our quest to rid Adamawa of criminal elements,” said CP Morris.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, ANIPR, reaffirmed the police’s commitment to ensuring safety and security throughout the state and warned that the era of impunity for criminal gangs is over.
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