Suspected motorcycle snatchers kill 27-year-old rider in Plateau

A 27-year-old commercial motorcyclist has been killed by suspected motorcycle snatchers in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, with his motorcycle stolen after the attack.

The incident was disclosed by security analyst Zagazola Makama in a post shared on X on Wednesday.

According to the post, troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) recovered the victim’s body after responding to a report of a corpse discovered between Angwan Baraya and Sagani villages in Mangu.

Security sources said troops from Sector 8, Sub-Sector 81, Gyambwas, received the report at about 6:15 am on June 30 and immediately moved to the area alongside police officers from the Keystone Gindiri Division.

“On arrival, the security personnel found the body of the victim with multiple machete wounds.

“A search of the area led to the recovery of a mobile phone believed to belong to the deceased,” Makama added.

“Using the phone, security operatives contacted the victim’s father, Mr. Muhammadu Sheko, who later identified the deceased as Haruna Muhammadu, a 27-year-old resident of Changal Village in Mangu Local Government Area.”

“The deceased was a commercial motorcyclist who had recently purchased a new motorcycle before he was allegedly attacked and killed by suspected motorcycle snatchers, who made away with the motorcycle,” the source said.

Police officers from the Keystone Gindiri Division evacuated the body and released it to the family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

Security agencies have launched efforts to identify and arrest those behind the killing and theft.

Authorities also appealed to residents to continue providing timely and credible information that could help security agencies tackle violent crime and improve safety in the area.