Incessant Bike Snatching, Insecurity Worry Residents, Motorcyclists In Ikirun
THERE has been an upsurge in cases of attack on commercial motorcyclists in Ikirun, findings by OSUN DEFENDER have revealed.
The medium gathered that the commercial motorcyclists known as Okada riders are exposed to violent attacks from some assailants who snatch their motorcycle and maim or kill them in the process.
According to findings, hardly would a week pass by without recording an incident of bike snatching in Ikirun.
It was gathered that the bike snatchers operate on bike with which they trail their targets and eventually carry out the crime.
The incessant attack has forced commercial motorcyclists in the town to stage a protest, calling on security agencies in the state to protect them.
They lamented what they described as high spate of bike snatching and insecurity in Ikirun.
According to the motorcyclists, the environment they operate was no longer safe for them due to activities of the bike snatchers.
OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the bike snatchers use dangerous weapons such as gun, cutlass, sword, hammer and others to maim their victims.
According to some of the Okada riders who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, their daily operation has become very dangerous especially at night in Ikirun.
Speaking on the development, a motorcyclist, Suleiman Ajasa, said Okada riders have become high target by criminals who have been disturbing the community both day and night.
Ajasa noted that the criminals sometimes mount Okada to a destination where they feel safe to either harm the rider or snatch the bike.
He said that many of his colleagues have either loss their motorcycles or lives, and in some cases both.
“The rate at which these criminals operate is alarming. We commercial motorcyclists are now living in fare. It has become a headache for us working at night. We have lost many of our members to bike snatching.
“This is becoming unabated. We appeal to all security agencies in the state to wade in and curtail this menace”, Ajasa noted.
Another rider, Muritala Falola, disclosed that the bike snatchers targets new motorcycles in the town and would always want to steal it.
He said: “The issue of bike snatching has become a nightmare to us in this community. This is becoming rampant and those with new bikes are the major target. These criminals will on many occasions rob our people their money and whenever they meet any form of resistance, they will kill them and do away with their motorcycle.”
Falola called on the security operatives in Ikirun and Osun in general to up their game and fish the bad elements in the society in order to provide a peaceful environment for businesses to thrive.
Yusuf Oketola is a trained journalist with over five years of experience in the media industry. He has worked for both print and online medium. He is a thorough-bred professional with an eye of hindsight on issues bothering on social justice, purposeful leadership, and a society where the leaders charge and work for the prosperity of the people.
