Yahaya Mohammed and his mother at the hospital. Photo: Chris Nyamtu
23-year-old automobile mechanic, Yahaya Mohammed Galadima of Kilema in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital whose hands were cut off by suspected hoodlums has appealed to the state government to deploy more security personnel to the rural areas to check incessant criminal activities.
Yahaya Mohammed made the appeal in Lafia while narrating his ordeal in the hands of the suspected robbers.
Friday 28 January 2022, was just like any other day for Yahaya, father of 3 who earned a living as an automobile mechanic.
He left his workshop in Kilema to fix a broken-down vehicle in a village along Yelwa—Rukubi Road, Doma Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking with Radio Nigeria, Yahaya Mohammed explained that he was returning to Lafia together with his 13-year apprentice on his motorcycle between 7 and 8 o’clock in the night when a group of five armed persons flagged him down with a torchlight.
He stated that when he attempted to beat the blockade mounted on the road, one of the hoodlums hit him with a log and he fell down.
According to Yahaya, they robbed him of his telephone, money, and the motorcycle and left him lying on the ground. After a while, one of them came back and started using a machete on him. He tried to block his head from the machete cuts but his two hands were cut off by his attackers.
Yahaya noted that his life had been shattered as according to him, his trade as a mechanic which he used to make between ₦5,000—₦10,000 daily had come to a painful end.
The mother of the victim, Hajiya Ramatu Adamu who spoke amidst tears pointed out that her son was the breadwinner of the family noting that the attack had left her devastated.
When the Police Public Relations Officer of the state, ASP Ramhan Nansel was contacted for comment, he said the matter had not been officially reported to the command.
Reporting by Chris Nyamtu; editing by Muzha Kucha