Suspected motorcycle thieves yesterday narrated why they resort to chopping off hands of their victims before dispossessing them of their machines.
One of the suspects, Yahaya Mohammed, told journalists in an interview that they only chopped off the hands of victims who are stubborn.
The police said Mohammed and Sani Bahago were members of a notorious gang of motorcycle thieves operating in New Bussa, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State and environs.
They were among the 19 suspects paraded by the state Police Command yesterday at its headquarters in Minna for offences ranging from kidnapping, cattle rustling, armed robbery, rape, car theft and unlawful possession of firearms.
The duo, identified by some of their victims, were arrested and handed over to the police in New Bussa before their transfer to the command headquarters in Minna.
One of the victims, Abdulkarem Mohammed Bellingham, had his wrist chopped off while the second victim, David Musa, had his three fingers cut off by the suspects. The victims are currently recuperating in a hospital in New Bussa.
The state police spokesman, Abubakar Dan-Inna, who briefed journalists while parading the suspects, said the duo specialized in boarding motorcycles and snatching them from the riders when they get to secluded areas.
The command also paraded a man identified as Tukur Ibrahim said to have been arrested with three AK47 rifles at Mashegu Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect was said to have been arrested alongside another gang member, one Tambaya Bello, after a gun battle with policemen.
Also paraded for armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms was one Fatima Musa, 17, from Kebe, Sokoto State, arrested along with one Kingsley Eze and Audu Baumi also in Mashegu LGA.
