Two men suspected to be motorcycle snatchers have been arrested by the Gwagwalada Divisional Police.
One of the suspects, Umar Sule was arrested last Friday at Giri when he posed as a passenger to an unsuspecting cyclist, who conveyed him from Tungamaje to Giri in Gwagwalada Area Council.
A witness said the suspect s operation was aborted when he brandished a locally made pistol and other weapons to scare the cyclist but the latter raised an alarm which attracted Giri residents and the suspect was handed over to officers of the Police Outpost in Giri.
The suspect said one Emma Mallam gave him the gun and he used it on an occasion to rob a cyclist of his bike at Zuba, adding that he gave the bike to the said Emma to sell for him.
According to him, the cyclist at Tungamaje raised an alarm on seeing his gun, which attracted residents of the area.
The second suspect, Emma Sule, who was arrested on Sunday, based on Umar’s confession, denied knowledge of the pistol and the robbery allegation.
He said Umar only brought a motorcycle to him for sale and latter came to pick it later after the deadline given to him to sell the bike was not possible.
Reacting, Divisional Police Officer of Gwagwalada, Chief Superintendent Charles Mozie, warned members of the public to be wary of those who use motorcycle as a means of robbery.
He also advised commercial cyclists to stop the habit of operating late into the night or carrying more than one passenger.
“I will advise commercial cyclists to be very conscious and to avoid picking passengers at late hour or carrying more than one passenger as they can easily be overpowered.
Daily Trust Tuesday 5th October 2010
Page 49
By Ogechi Ohalee
