The Territorial Police in North Kyoga carried out an intelligence-led operation in Lira, Kwania, and Apac and cracked down an organized criminal gang, that had specialized in the theft of bodaboda motorcycles all over the country.
According to police, the gang had agents and collaborators in almost every part of the country, who would identify newly bought motorcycles and plan for its robbery. The stolen motorcycles are sold in South Sudan, DRC, and Kenya.
Fred Enanga, the Police spokesperson said the task team started its operations with the arrest of Okori Mondri, a 28-year-old, bodaboda rider of Adagaya cell, Abedi ward, Apac T/C, Apac district.
Enanga said he was tracked down and arrested from Inomo sub-county in Kwania district, while in possession of a suspected stolen motorcycle under registration number UEU 548Q, Bajaj Boxer, red in colour.
“At the time of his arrest, he had just returned from Soroti district. His arrest led to the recovery of 10 more suspected stolen motorcycles, five of which were recovered from his premise and an additional five, from his accomplices in the districts of Kwania and Apac respectively,” said Enanga.
He revealed that so far four suspects who form part of the criminal gang have been arrested.
These include; Okori Modri, Okello Dan, a 30-year-old, male adult and resident of Bar Opok cell, Apac Town council; Olwa Benson, a 32-year-old, bodaboda rider of Abor village in Apac district and Opolo Dan a 22-year-old boda boda rider of Ongica village, Inomo sub-county, in Kwania district.
He further disclosed that a serious manhunt for two ring leaders of the gang is ongoing. These include; Okidi, Denis who is the gang leader in N/Kyoga region, and Akaki Sam both residents of Apar village is the overall commander of the gang in East Kyoga, Sipi, and Elgon region.
“We have also interested ourselves on a racket that has been helping them forge logbooks and also other chassis and engine numbers, from Lira city,” he said.
The recovered motorcycles all Bajaj Boxers, red in color are as follow; UEZ 253U, UEU 355U, UEU 584Q, UEE 337H, UEO 103Y, UEE 936K, UEW 918H,KMFJ – 433W(stolen from Kapchorwa district), UEK 300S, UFG 610P, UFD 233U (Original no UFJ 230U), stolen from Aduku Town, Kwania district. Also recovered were six number plates which include; UEW293D, UER 258Y, UEP 293V, UFD 715N, UEE 895D, UEU 978D.
The majority of the recovered motorcycles were stolen from the districts of Soroti, Kapchorwa, Mbale, and Kaberamaido and sold in the districts of Kwania and Apac. While those that were stolen from Lango sub-region were sold in Soroti, Mbale, and Kapchorwa.
“All the engine numbers, chassis number, and recovered number plates have been submitted to the URA for verification and details of ownership,” he said.