Commercial motorcyclists in Kwara State have cried out over the danger they are exposed to in the course of their daily business within Ilorin and its environs in recent time
In separate interviews with Pilot Crime, over the weekend, they alleged that several commercial motorcyclists have fallen victim of robbery attack lately.
They said the robbers have devised various methods with which they rob them of their motorcycles.
According to them, while some of the victims were lucky to have their motorcycles taken away by robbers, others lost their lives to the attacks.
A commercial motorcylist, Waheed Akanbi said many of his colleagues have had their means of livelihood taken away from them by robbers.
Speaking to this medium on Friday, he narrated how his friend lost his motorcycle to robbers.
“A member of my union, Tunde was robbed of his motorcycle three weeks ago. The incident happened at about 10:30pm along Mini Campus road.
“He was flagged down by two people who were also on a motorcycle. They pleaded with him to help them change N200 note into smaller denominations.
“As Tunde parked to assist them, they pounced on him and his passenger. One of them brought out knife, which made my colleague and his passengers to take to their heels. That was how he lost his motorcycle to the robbers.
Waheed therefore called on security agencies in the state to beef up security in the state for safety of motorcyclists.
Also speaking to our reporter, Jamiu Surajudeen narrated his ordeal in January this year.
“A young man approached me that he was going to a site at Gaa Odota with half bag of cement. It was on a Sunday morning. When we got to the place, he alighted and three men emerged from the uncompleted building.
“By instinct I knew the men were not bticklayers, before I could make a move, one of them held unto my motorcycle and they encircled me. One out of them hit me with a stick and collected the key from me. I was made to kneel as they took my bike away.
“Presently I am under the employment of a friend, whose motorcycle I ride for commercial purpose and deliver money to him everyday, “he lamented.
Similarly, Olamide John said he was robbed of his motorcycle by a supposed passenger in Taiwo road area in February.
“The passenger gave me N1000 note and because I didn’t have change, I decided to buy recharge card for my mobile phone line. I left him on the bike. The next thing I heard was the sound of my motorcycle as he zoomed away.
“I raised an alarm that attracted people within the vicinity, attempt to stop the thief was to no avail. That was how I lost my motorcycle. So many people have fallen victim of the motorcycle snatchers. Security agencies should please come to our aid.”
For Nureni Yahaya, from Kebbi State, the day he patronised a food canteen at Sawmill area will remain unforgettable as he lost his motorcycle to robbers.
“On the fateful day, I parked my motorcycle and went into a canteen to eat. After eating I went outside to get my motorcycle and continue the day’s business but to my surprise, it was nowhere to be found.
“The painful aspect of it is that I am yet to complete payment for the motorcycle. My brother had to help me offset the debt.
It would be recalled that the dead body of a commercial motorcyclist was discovered at Awolowo road, GRA, penultimate week.
The robbers who stole his motorcycle were said to have killed him during the robbery operation.
Efforts to get the state Police Spokesperson, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi to speak on the development proved abortive as calls to his mobile phone did not connect and text messages did not deliver at the time of filing this report.
