The police command in Ondo State has busted an interstate motorcycle snatching syndicate and recovered seven stolen bikes.

DSP Olushola Ayanlade, the command’s spokesperson, made this known in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday in Akure.

Mr Ayanlade said that the achievement was another major breakthrough in its sustained onslaught against crime and criminality.

According to him, the criminal gang had long been terrorising the good citizens of the state and neighbouring states, dispossessing victims of their hard-earned money and properties.

Mr Ayanlade explained that on Aug. 29 at about 11:00 a.m., one Boluwaji Samuel, ‘m,’ of Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, reported at the Police Command, Ekiti, that on Aug. 20, his motorcycle was stolen.

He said that Samuel woke up at his residence in Ikere-Ekiti only to discover that his NEO NX Blue TUS Lady’s motorcycle with chassis number MK2B3AIHZNJ009414, valued at N500,000, had been stolen.

“Following discreet, intelligence-led investigation, the stolen motorcycle was traced to Oluwafemi Benjamin ‘m’ and Seyi ‘m’ in Akure.

“Further investigation led police operatives to one of their gang members in Owo, where additional six motorcycles, suspected to have been stolen at different points and locations within and outside Ondo State, were recovered.

“This brings the total number of motorcycles recovered to seven.

“The criminal gang had long been terrorising the good citizens of the state and its neighbouring environments, dispossessing motorcyclists of their hard-earned money and properties,” the command’s spokesperson said.

Mr Ayanlade, therefore, urged members of the public who have lost their motorcycles to come forward with credible proof of ownership for possible identification and recovery.

He said that the state command remains resolute in translating their vision into visible results, thereby restoring public confidence and ensuring a safer society for all.

Mr Ayanlade assured the good people of Ondo State of the resolve of the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Rasaq, not to relent until all acts of crime and criminality were drastically curtailed.

“The CP appeals to the public for continued cooperation by promptly volunteering timely, accurate, and actionable information that could assist the police in fulfilling their constitutional mandate,” he said.

(NAN)