The Ogun State Police Command has apprehended three individuals, Monsuru Musa, Adija Monsuru, and Shehu Dikko, in connection with the alleged attempted murder of a commercial motorcycle rider, known only as Tijanni, in the Afonta area of Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.

According to sources within the police department, the incident occurred last Monday around 6:10 pm, leaving the victim with severe injuries to the head, neck, and lower lip.

The altercation began when Monsuru requested a ride from Tijanni to the Soyeye area from Lafenwa in Abeokuta. However, upon reaching an isolated spot before the Soyeye community, Monsuru requested a halt to the journey to make a call to a friend supposedly traveling the same route.

Shortly after the call, Musa and Dikko arrived, and all three suspects allegedly attempted to strangle Tijanni using a rope while he was seated on the motorcycle. Additionally, Monsuru reportedly struck Tijanni on the head with a large wooden plank.

The victim’s cries for help attracted the attention of nearby motorcyclists, residents, and law enforcement officers, who intervened and apprehended the suspects before they could flee.

Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Odutola Omolola, stated that the suspects were part of a notorious syndicate specializing in motorcycle theft. She assured that the victim received medical attention at a hospital.

Omolola remarked, “The female passenger had borrowed the motorcyclist’s mobile phone to call a friend purportedly traveling the same route. However, two more individuals arrived, revealing a syndicate pattern. They are now in custody and will face prosecution.”

This incident follows a similar case last year, where a 40-year-old suspect was arrested by operatives of the Amotekun Corps for attempting to murder a motorcyclist in the Remo area of the state. The suspect allegedly posed as a passenger, attacked the victim with a knife, and fled with the motorcycle.