By Umar Yunusa
At least, nine commercial motorcycle riders known locally as (okada riders) were killed between November 2021 and January 2022 by armed individuals who specialize in stealing motorbikes in Mokwa, Niger State.
Elendu Reports gathered that in the last three months, about nine bikers’ lifeless bodies were found under cashew and mango trees in Mokwa community.
Mohammed Aliyu, a resident who described the attitude of security men as nonchalant after suspected bike thieves continue attacks on road users said security outfits have made no efforts to arrest the ugly incidents despite the situation being reported to them on various occasions.
Aliyu said there are still about eight bodies yet to be identified but noted that they were commercial bike riders that were killed and their bikes were taken away.
“Eight lifeless bodies have been found on the spot within three months. At times, we buried them as their bodies decomposed,” he said.
“Last week, Usman Yamma made an effort that led three vigilante patrol teams to go to the deadly area when they saw photographs of the incident posted.”
According to residents and other commercial riders, the situation has become worrisome as the suspected bike thieves continue to wreak havoc on innocent men going about their regular livelihood in the community.
Baba Umar, a resident of the community said the situation has become worrisome especially with the gruesome murder of commercial riders plying Ndayako road.
“No security personnel or agents have been going to the area, yet they are fully aware of the ugly incidents going on at the place,” Umar said.
“Whenever a bike or person is missing, the Okada committee often searches the deadly place. If they are lucky enough, they find lifeless bodies which are often reported to the Police.”
Ndayako road: Death trap for okada riders
Nyayako road has become a death trap for Okada riders and other road users as no one dares to ply the road even during the day.
Umar said many victims had fallen preys to the attackers because they did not of the danger associated with plying the road.
He appealed to the local government authorities and the community leaders to quickly ensure the safety of all road users by cutting down overgrown trees in those areas as they have become a criminal hideout.
An okada rider, Abdullah Chado (not real identity), said riding bikes for personal pleasure or business in Mokwa is now a risky adventure.
Chado lamented that many criminals are operating freely in the areas because “security men are not operating in the crime areas or bumping into their hideout to fish them out”.
He explained that the identities of all the bodies found in the place were yet to be fully ascertained. “But one fact is that they are all men that got into the town without getting guidance about deadly areas to avoid in the community,” he added.
On Sunday, January 23, this reporter spent hours on the roadside trying to wave down a biker to take him to Ndayako road. But none of them obliged him for fear of being waylaid and killed along the way.
Rather, a few of them cautioned the reporter to avoid the road at all costs.
A community leader who identified himself as Nasiru decried the killings in that region and the non-response of security officials.
He said residents and road users were often disturbed by an offensive stench oozing from that section of the community.
According to him, “That’s what triggered a consistent search that led to the discovery of dead bodies in the area.
“When the place was monitored, three bodies were found and buried. At a point, Social Welfare people were engaged to witness how lives are wasted at the place. On getting there, two fresh bodies were seen again,” he told Elendu Reports.
“Just last week, an Okada man narrated that he took a passenger with food on his both hands to the place. The passenger told him that he had workers inside the place.
“On getting to the place, three men came out from the place to collect food. Within a blink of eye, they hung a rope on his neck threatening to kill him, but luckily, the boy escaped to narrate his ordeal.”
He also said that last Thursday, they (community leaders) were with Etsu Nupe in Bida, seeking his approval to cut down the trees around the place since it has become a criminal hideout.
Mokwa Social Welfare Chairman, Kudu Tsawsha, confirmed that residents of Kpege engaged them to be eyewitnesses. Tsawsha said he witnessed four dead bodies at the place, adding that one was killed beside Government Girls Secondary School Mokwa, totalling five persons.
Musa Ndako, chairman of the commercial motorcyclists in the area said several complaints have been lodged with the police and other security agents.
“We complain severally not only to the Police but to other crime curbing organizations such as police-community relation committee,” Ndako said.
“We went to Mokwa Divisional Police officer officially and showed him photographs of those killed. Deceased.”
“Yesterday, I was in a meeting with the Vice-Chairman of Mokwa local government. We usually hold security meetings but no action has been taken,” Ndako said.
Like others, Ndako said he had similarly buried a dead body at the spot as the body decomposed beyond recognition.
He further explained that those who fell victims are Hausa who are avoiding being enrolled into union before riding.
Yahaya Hassan, the spokesman of Mokwa local Vigilante, confirmed the killings, adding that one lifeless body was found there but couldn’t not give this reporter exact number of casualties.
Niger State Police Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun confirmed that in October 2021, an Okada man was stabbed but the suspect was later arrested.
He further stated that one decomposed body of a biker was found around Cashew plantation, adding that a biker was strangulated and his bike was taken away.