Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State Command, have arrested a 45-year-old suspected accomplice in a motorcycle theft syndicate.

The operatives recovered an allegedly stolen motorcycle and other incriminating items at Gaida, Abacha Street, in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State.

In a statement, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the suspect, identified as Mustafa Sani, 45, was arrested at his residence following credible intelligence linking him to the activities of a suspected motorcycle theft syndicate operating within the metropolis.

“This was after a companion motorbike with registration number GRR 958 QB (Jigawa) was tracked to his residence,” the statement said.

It said that during a search of his residence, NSCDC operatives recovered a motorcycle suspected to have been stolen from the premises of a hospital at Rijiyar Zaki, along Gwarzo Road, Kano State.

Other items recovered from the suspect included 11 registered motorcycle number plates, six screwdrivers, three pliers and three bunches of motorcycle keys, suspected to belong to stolen motorcycles.

The statement added that the principal suspect, identified as Mansur Nasir Khalil, also known as “S-Guy”, was currently at large, while the Command had launched a manhunt for him and was making concerted efforts to apprehend him and bring him to justice.

The NSCDC State Commandant, Mohammed Agalama, commended the operatives for their vigilance and intelligence-led operation, assuring members of the public that the command would continue to intensify its efforts to dismantle criminal networks involved in motorcycle theft and other forms of criminality across the state.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with useful information that could assist in the prevention and detection of crime.

The commandant further assured that the arrested suspect would be subjected to thorough investigation and, upon conclusion of the investigation, prosecuted in accordance with the law.