A female tricycle operator on Monday night lost her brand new tricycle (popularly called Keke) to two armed robbers in Awka, Anambra State.
The victim was carrying a passenger when the suspects double-crossed her with their own Keke, near a Catholic Church Junction, Okpuno, Awka at about 10.46pm
Our correspondent gathered that the suspects pointed their double-barrel pump-action gun at her, ordered her to step down from the Keke.
A witness said, “The robbers, two in number, also cocked the gun several times, threatening to shoot her if she refused to come down, while she sat tight and held tight her Keke handle in panic, shouting and crying for help.
“Some residents who ran out to help her upon hearing the shouts, retreated immediately they sighted the gun and watched from a distance.
“Seeing she didn’t want to let go of the Keke even after her passenger had come down in panic, they brought out cane and started flogging and beating her mercilessly to force her to come down.
“She eventually succumbed after the robbers fired another gunshot into the air. They pushed her out of the tricycle, while one of the robbers immediately took over the ride, and zoomed off.
It was further gathered that efforts by the victim, who was assisted by a co-tricyclist to pursue the robbers through the same route were futile.
Some police officers, in the Special Anti-Cultism Squad (SPACS) uniforms also came out from a location in the area, upon hearing the incident, boarded a bus and went after the criminals.
Reacting, Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye described the incident as unfortunate, assuring the suspects must be tracked down and arrested.
He recounted similar cases of tricycle snatching in recent time in Awka, but revealed that many of the suspects were tracked down and arrested.
“The suspects are currently in the police custody, together with the recovered stolen tricycles.
“I have directed my men to ensure more strict surveillance at such strategic areas to clampdown on those criminals who are trying to sabotage the efforts of the security agencies in sustaining the peace and security being enjoyed by the people of the State.
