Kamarudeen Owolade, a jailbird, has been nabbed for allegedly attacking a cyclist in an attempt to steal his motorcycle in Akure, the Ondo state capital.
Mr Owolade, 35, was among over 30 suspected criminals paraded by the Amotekun Corps at its headquarters in Akure, before journalists, on Monday.
The suspect, with his gang, was said to have used some dangerous weapons to attack the victim around the Lafee area in the Akure South Local Council Area before attempting to steal his bike.
Adetunji Adeleye, the commandant of the Amotekun Corps in the state, who paraded the suspect, said Mr Owolade had committed a similar offence a few years back and was prosecuted.
Mr Adeleye revealed that the suspect belonged to a syndicate that always hijacked motorcycles and attacked their owners at gunpoint, especially in the late hours within the state capital, Akure.
“This man (Owolade) had been to the prison on several occasions. I recall that some time ago, we arrested him and he was prosecuted and sent to prison over this crime.
“Surprisingly, after leaving the prison, he continued with his crime. He and his group stopped a bike man in the late hours. On their way, the Okada man was visibly attacked in the face with a screwdriver and other weapons to steal his motorcycle.
“That was how we got wind of him and he was arrested. During the investigation, we noticed he had even been arrested before for the same crime and he’s back at it again. We shall prosecute him,” he said.
Speaking, the victim, simply identified as Abbey, said he was attacked by Mr Owolade and two other men after they climbed his bike for a ride around 10 p.m.
“They met me at the cathedral junction in Akure around 10 p.m. and said they wanted to charter me to Lafee junction. I billed them N2000 before it was late already but they said they have N1000 with them.
“So, I agreed and I told my colleagues in the junction to watch after me as it was already late. But while on our way, I noticed their strange movement on the bike.
“Before I knew it, they had attacked me on my face by piercing me with a screwdriver and other weapons. I just thank God I didn’t die because it was serious and they wanted to steal my motorcycle,” he said.
Peoples Gazette reports that others paraded by the Amotekun Corps also include suspected human traffickers, burglars, armed robbers, and kidnappers among several others.