The Directorate of Judicial Police (DPJ) has dismantled three criminal gangs specializing in vehicle and motorcycle thefts that had been operating in the capital. These operations follow a surge in crime linked to the increase in these thefts.

1. The night flight network (9 individuals arrested)

1. Investigation period: From September 14 to 21, 2025.
2. Composition: Nine men (aged 37 to 69), including principal perpetrators, accomplices and four specialized receivers (mechanic, scrap metal dealer, sheet metal worker, painter) responsible for modifying the appearance and chassis of stolen vehicles.
3. Method of Operation: Nighttime patrols on foot to identify unattended parked vehicles. Use of a T-shaped iron object or a fake key to force open the doors and start the engine.
4. Targets: Primarily Toyota Corolla (LE/S), Toyota Hilux and Toyota RAV4 , chosen for their ease of unlocking (absence of reliable transponder/chip key).
5. Summary: The group confessed to four robberies in the Harobanda, Katako Market, Bandabari and Gamkalley districts.

2. The "Prosecutor" thief and international trafficking (1 perpetrator identified)

1. Method of Operation: The dismantling is linked to the theft of a Toyota Hilux committed on November 7, 2025, near the Friday mosque, during prayer.
2. Identification: CCTV footage led to the arrest of a 36-year-old student, nicknamed "Prosecutor" , already known for similar offenses and released from prison four months earlier.
3. Details: The individual used two fake keys (one for access, one for starting). He then transported the vehicle, after taking the road from Dosso, then Guechémé, to the village of Yeddou, where he handed it over to an accomplice for transport and sale in Abuja .
4. Summary: He also confessed to the earlier theft of a black Toyota RAV4, abandoned due to poor engine condition.
5. Legal proceedings: The DPJ has activated the cooperation mechanism via INTERPOL to search for and intercept the accomplice on the run.

3. The gang involved in motorcycle thefts using bladed weapons (5 individuals arrested)

1. Composition: Five men (aged 17 to 29), including four co-authors and one receiver of stolen goods.
2. Specialty: Motorcycle thefts at night, in groups, with breaking and entering or assault using bladed weapons .
3. Operating Procedures:
4. Burglary: Roaming the neighborhoods (Bassora, Niamey 2000, Kobontafa), spotting a motorcycle through the walls of the houses, climbing over, opening the door and unlocking the vehicle to take it back to a "ghetto" in Bassora.
5. Robbery with violence: Travel in pairs (two motorcycles), chase the target, threaten them with machetes to make them fall and seize the motorcycle.
6. Summary: Five motorcycle thefts are attributed to them (three Royal, one Kasea, one Royal tricycle).
7. Legal proceedings: Accomplices are being actively sought through Interpol.

📣 Call for vigilance

Faced with these threats, the DPJ is making an urgent appeal for increased vigilance and unprecedented collaboration from the population to eradicate all forms of insecurity.