A 22-year-old resident of Geriyo in Yola North LGA, Abdulrahman Ishaq, has been apprehended by the Adamawa State Police Command for allegedly stealing a commercial tricycle, popularly known as keke napep. The theft took place at Gate 4, one of the entry gates to the Jimeta Modern Market in Yola while worshipers were engaged in prayers at a nearby Mosque.
Abdulrahman Ishaq took advantage of the situation and discreetly removed the tricycle from its parked location, blending in with the congregation. However, observant individuals at the market noticed the theft and promptly alerted the authorities, leading to the swift arrest of Abdulrahman Ishaq in the vicinity of Jimeta.
This incident highlights a concerning trend of keke napep thefts in the vicinity of the Jimeta Modern Market. Just last month, a 25-year-old man named Suleiman Auwal was caught in a similar circumstance. Auwal had stolen a tricycle that was up for sale at the main shopping complex in Jimeta and was subsequently using it for his own transport business in Yola.
The theft was reported by the tricycle’s owner to the Adamawa State Police, who took immediate action upon spotting the stolen vehicle being used by the suspected thief, resulting in the arrest of Suleiman Auwal. Investigation revealed that the tricycle belonged to Abubakar Usman and had been taken from the Juma’at Mosque in the Jimeta Ultra Modern Market.
SP Suleiman Nguroje confirmed that Suleiman Auwal, a resident of Aso Rock in Jambutu, confessed to stealing the tricycle while attending Friday prayers at the mosque. It was discovered that during the period he possessed the vehicle, Auwal had hired a local security guard and paid him N100 per day to protect the tricycle from potential theft.
Assuring the public, SP Suleiman Nguroje stated that Suleiman Auwal is currently in police custody, and the state Commissioner of Police, Afolabi Babatola, has ordered a thorough investigation to ensure that the suspects face appropriate legal consequences.