Mansur Mohammed is a big-time farmer in Saminaka area of Kaduna state. Averagely, he gets 120 bags of grains from his farm annually. But in his bid to make more and quick money, he formed a motorcycle snatching syndicate with membership spread across Kano state metropolis.
The gang operated in tertiary institutions, mosques and other public places where motorcycles are parked in large numbers. Mansur, 47, was not himself participating in motorcycles stealing operations because he has over 20 boys working for him. The gangs’ modus operandi varied, depending on the nature and venue of operation.
Mansur’s gang had been succeeding in their various operations until three weeks ago when three members of his gang fell into police net, following a hiccup in an operation. The trio made confessional statements that led to the arrest of Mansur, an indigene of Bauchi, who is based in Kano state.
He was paraded last Wednesday alongside 10 members of his gang at the Kano state police headquarters. During the parade, there was a mild drama as Mansur said he did not involve his 15 children in the business because he wants them to be educated and contribute to the development of the country.
The Kano state police commissioner, Musa A. Daura, who paraded the suspects, and journalists that were covering the session were shocked by the utterances of Mansur. His gang members are between the ages of 17 and 25 like those of his children.
“All my children are going to school in Bauchi state where I hail from. I didn’t involve them in this business because I want them to be good citizens of the country,” he said.
Asked why he recruited youths of his children’s ace into his gang, he said: “I did not initiate them to the business. I met them in it and we are doing it together.”
Contrary to the statement of some of his boys, Mansur said his gang only operated around mosques on Fridays during Juma’at prayers and not in schools.
“My gang only operates in mosques and I don’t know whether they have ever operated in schools. Many of my gang members are still on the run,” he said.
On why he abandoned his farming for motorcycle snatching, he said:“My farm is still intact in the Saminka area of Kaduna state. And as I’m talking to you I’m expecting nothing less than 120 bags of grains this farming season. I joined this motorcycle snatching business about two years ago when I went to prison following my inability to settle the debt I owed somebody”.
He said he settles his boys based on the brand and quality of the motorcycles they snatched and brought to him.
Speaking to newsmen, Mohammed Hamisu, 25, a member of Mansur’s gang said he joined the business about a year ago and had stolen more than 20 motorcycles.
“My friend introduced me to the business and I have stolen over 20 motorcycles. I sold them to Mansur but he was not the one that introduced me to the business. Even though I always steal motorcycles, I don’t have any savings. I used my money to eat and buy clothes,” he said.
Addressing newsmen, Kano state police commissioner, Musa A. Daura said Mansur was nabbed following the arrest of three members of his gang. He said his command has commenced investigation on the case and the gang would be soon charged to court.
The police commissioner also paraded 10 suspected armed robbers and car snatchers arrested during raids carried out by the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) of the command within the state metropolis.
Parading the suspects before newsmen, the police commissioner said four locally made pistols, 12 cars, 21 motorcycles, 18 rounds of cartridges and charms were recovered from the gang.
He said two of the suspects were arrested while they were about to carry out an operation in Nassarawa local government area of the state.
According to him, a team of policemen while on patrol within Dorayi quarters of the state intercepted one Lawan Sani of Malumfashi local government area of Katsina state and Sani Yakubu of Sabon Gari, Zaria in Kaduna state for wandering about in a suspicious manner.
“On-the-spot search led to the discovery of two locally made pistols and four cartridges in their possession. They confessed to have come to Kano with the intention to carry out armed robbery attacks in Nassarawa local government area of the state. They mentioned two other members of their gang who are now at large,” he said.
The police commissioner said early this month, based on a tip-off, a Toyota bus was sighted with five occupants at a village in Dawakin Tofa local government area of the state.
He said his men trailed the car and that one Alhaji Audu Abdulkarim, Sani Rabiu and Sani Audu were arrested and found to be in possession of locally made pistol and two rounds of ammunitions.
“The suspects confessed to have been on a mission to carry out armed robbery in the area. They confessed to have one AK-47 riffle with 20 rounds of ammunitions in possession of one of their gang members who is now at large, “he said.
The police commissioner said they are making efforts to arrest the fleeing members of the gang in order to recover their operational arms.
According to him, the remaining suspected armed robbers were arrested in six other operations carried out within this month. He said all the suspects would be charged to court for prosecution once police conclude investigation.
While reiterating the commitment of the command to effectively police the state, he urged the people of the state to report any suspicious person or object to the nearest security outpost.
Sunday trust
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