Police warn motorcyclists of new robbery tactics in Ogun

• She added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen motorcycle.
• The command also advised commercial motorcyclists and the general public to be vigilant, especially when picking up passengers in remote areas.

The Ogun state police command has issued a warning to commercial motorcyclists in the state on Tuesday regarding a new strategy employed by criminals disguised as passengers to steal motorcycles.

Omolola Odutola, the command’s spokesperson, said that this warning was prompted by a recent incident reported at the Imasayi Divisional Police Headquarters.

According to Odutola, criminals now use a liquid substance to incapacitate their victims, rendering them unconscious before stealing their motorcycles.

On Monday at approximately 6 am, a commercial motorcyclist named Abdulwahab Ali was violently attacked and robbed of his motorcycle by two unidentified passengers.

Odutola stated that the victim picked up two passengers at 1&2 Dangote Cement Gates, heading towards Balogun Village on his unregistered red Bajaj motorcycle.

She said, “According to his statement at 0600hrs on the same day, he picked up two passengers at 1&2 Dangote Cement Gates, heading towards Balogun Village on his unregistered red Bajaj motorcycle with engine number DUXWME59777 and chassis number MDZA18AJ6MWF86453.

“On arrival at Balogun Village, the suspects directed him onto a narrow road, several kilometers off the highway. Suddenly, they sprayed a liquid substance on his face, assaulted him, and rendered him unconscious.

“The assailants then fled with his motorcycle and also robbed him of his Itel keypad phone. The total value of the stolen items is estimated at seven hundred and five thousand Naira (#705,000.00) only.”

Although no arrests have been made, efforts are underway to apprehend the suspects and recover the stolen motorcycle.

The command advised commercial motorcyclists and the general public to exercise caution, particularly when picking up passengers in isolated areas.

“Criminals have devised new deceptive tactics to steal motorcycles, and awareness is crucial to prevent further occurrences.

“We urge anyone with useful information about this incident or similar criminal activities to report to the nearest police station. The public’s cooperation is essential in ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state,” she added.