Police in Oyam District have made a significant breakthrough in the fight against motorcycle theft after recovering 40 number plates believed to belong to stolen motorcycles.
The recovery followed an intelligence-led operation carried out on Tuesday, 25th November 2025, in Ajali Opoo Village, Adel Parish, Minakulu Sub-county. The mission was coordinated by officers from the North Kyoga Region, acting on actionable intelligence pointing to a suspected motorcycle theft and dismantling network.
According to Patrick Okema, the North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson, detectives targeted the residence of Ayen Calvin, where they conducted a spirited search that led to the discovery of the number plates buried in a banana plantation on the property.
“Intelligence reports indicated that an organized group of criminals had been seen dismantling and altering the number plates of suspected stolen motorcycles at the residence of Ayen Calvine, a local resident,” Okema stated.
The operation also led to the seizure of a box of spanners and dismantling tools, equipment typically used to strip or modify stolen motorcycles to hinder identification. Additionally, officers recovered three bundles of dried opium and other items believed to be linked to ongoing criminal activities in the area.
Despite the major recovery, no arrests have been made yet, with the suspects reportedly fleeing before the raid. However, Okema confirmed that some of the individuals involved are already known to authorities and that a manhunt is underway.
“We urge community members to work closely with security forces to ensure that these criminals are captured and brought to justice,” he emphasized.
The police have also appealed to motorcycle owners whose number plates may have been stolen to report to the nearest station, as efforts continue to match the recovered plates with reported theft cases.
