By Ahmed Ajikobi
Men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kwara State Command have nabbed a notorious motorcycle robber, Kenneth Samuel.
The suspect was arrested at Gerewu area of Ilorin.
Luck ran out on the 27-year-old who hails from Ogugu in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State penultimate Wednesday when his attempt to rob a motorcyclist with pepper powder was foiled.
According to eyewitness, the suspect, who pretended to know the victim walked up to him and blew pepper powder into his eyes.
“It was the screaming of the motorcyclist that attracted people to the scene. Fortunately there were NSCDC officers around who effected arrest of the suspect.
Recounting a similar experience with the motorcycle thief, a commercial motorcyclist, Abdullahi Saka said his motorcycle was snatched by the suspect using same method.
“About five months ago, I parked my motorcycle somewhere around the Kwara State College of Education (COED), Ilorin, to ease myself in the afternoon.
“When I was done, I unlocked my motorcycle and was about zooming off when the suspect called and moved towards me on the pretext of seeking for help.
“As I wanted to offer him money, he blew pepper powder into my eyes, pushed me off the motorcycle and made away with it. I called out for help but there was no one around,” he added.
Another victim, Musa Iliasu said, some months ago the suspect boarded his motorcycle but later snatched it from him.
“I was taking him to Alagbado area at around 8:30pm. It was at a time when the bridge in the area was under construction.
“When we got to a point he asked that I should stop so that he could alight. He got down and blew pepper into my eyes and took my motorcycle away.
Speaking on the arrest, the spokesperson of the state Command, Bello Ayodele Olorunfemi confirmed that the suspect was nabbed by officers of the NSCDC.
“He was arrested by NSCDC while trying to escape with the motorcycle he snatched from Musa Sulaiman. He was nabbed with powder pepper container in a bag, which he has been using for his operations.
“Preliminary investigation has revealed that he works with a syndicate, which led to the arrest of one of his accomplice, Kabir Saadu of Eyenkorin area in Ilorin, who buys the stolen motorcycles from the accused.
He said investigation is ongoing to reveal identities of other members of the syndicate.
Olorunfemi charged members of the public to be security conscious and report suspicious people and movements to security agents in the state.
