The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two physically challenged men for their alleged involvement in an attempt to hijack a tricycle from its rider, who is also physically challenged.
The incident occurred on October 9, 2024, when the suspects, 30-year-old Mande Bello, 23-year-old Samsudeen Usman, and a third man identified only as Gazali, allegedly tried to snatch the tricycle in the Oyingbo area of Lagos.
According to a complaint filed by the tricycle rider at Denton Police Station on October 10, the suspects had requested a ride from Boson Roundabout, Oyingbo, to the Third Mainland Bridge intersection. Initially hesitant, the rider eventually agreed to the ride, only to be confronted by the suspects during the trip.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the details in a statement on Sunday. “On 10/10/24 at about 1500hrs, a complainant, who is physically challenged and a tricycle rider, reported at Denton Police Station that on the 9/10/24 at about 2000hrs, he gave a ride at Boson Roundabout Oyingbo to the trio of Mande Bello, Samsudeen Usman, and Gazali (surname unknown), all physically challenged,” Hundeyin said.
The tricycle rider reported that as they approached the Third Mainland Bridge intersection, one of the suspects, Bello, attempted to strangle him with a cable.
However, the rider managed to fight off the attackers and quickly turned the tricycle back towards Okobaba, successfully overpowering two of the suspects, Bello and Usman. Gazali, the third suspect, managed to escape.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the three suspects specialize in snatching tricycles from unsuspecting members of the public in the state,” SP Hundeyin added. He noted that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect, Gazali.
The arrested suspects are currently in custody, with investigations continuing into their involvement in other similar incidents.
