Two little children who happen to be twins have disappeared from sight on their way to school in Lagos.
File photo: Commercial motorcycle riders
Two children have been whisked to the unknown on their way to school in Lagos by a comercial motorcyclist.
The commercial motorcyclist caused panic on Alubarika Street, in
the Bariga area of Lagos State after he fled with three-year-old twin
brothers, Joseph and Joel Osinaike.
Punch Metro reports that the kids’ mother, who lives in the area,
had brought them to a bus stop beside a First Bank branch in the
community to get a motorcycle that would take them to school.
After a few minutes wait at the bus stop, the okada (motorcycle)
rider, who was identified as Awaliu Yunusa, stopped to pick the school
kids and their mother.
It was learnt that Yunusa carried one of the twins and put him on
the tank of the motorcycle, while their mother seated the other boy at
the back.
She was about to climb the motorcycle when Yunusa reportedly zoomed off with the pupils.
According to Punch Metro, an eyewitness, who identified himself as
Olansile Damola, revealed that the incident happened on Tuesday at about
7.30am.
Damola, a shop owner around the bus stop, said about 15 motorcycles went after the suspect after the mother raised the alarm.
He said, “Normally, I open shop around 9am, but that day, I came to pick something I forgot in the shop the previous day.
“After I had picked the item, I saw a woman (the twins’ mother)
crying and running after a speeding motorcycle, which carried two kids
in uniform.
“I sensed that the kids must have been abducted. I quickly shut my shop and begged some okada riders to help to chase him.
“When he observed that they had almost caught up with him, he
left the road and headed towards Alubarika Street. The riders continued
chasing him until he was caught.”
A trader, Mrs. Olabisi Adedayo, said a mob descended on Yunusa and
beat him to a pulp before policemen from the Bariga division arrived at
the scene.
“They beat him to the point that blood was coming out of his
ear. He would have been killed if the policemen had not arrived at the
scene. While he was fleeing with the kids, he rode the motorcycle with
his right hand and used his left to hold the twin brother at the back.
“I was surprised at how he got the confidence to perpetrate
such a crime at that time of the day. I think he got what he deserved,” Adedayo added.
The suspect was said to have been taken to the Gbagada General Hospital for treatment.
A rights group in the community, Child Protection Network, which is
following up the case, urged the police to ensure diligent prosecution
of the matter to serve as a deterrent to others.
The CPN Coordinator in Shomolu, Toyin Oklagogo, said the group had
organised a house-to-house sensitisation programme to enlighten parents
on the safety of their children.
He said, “When the incident came to the notice of the group, I
went to the Bariga Police Station and a police officer I met assured me
that the case would be properly handled. He said the police command
headquarters had already been informed. The suspect should be
prosecuted.
“On our part, we usually go to community development
associations to sensitise parents to the need to be vigilant. Parents
should be conscious of their environment and avoid putting the care of
toddlers in the hands of older children. Some people are looking for
money by all means.”
The Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident via a text message.
“Yes, I confirm the case. It is under investigation,” the message read.
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