Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Troops of Sector 8, Sub-Sector 81 of Operation Enduring Peace have foiled an attempted motorcycle snatching incident in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, rescuing an injured passenger who was abandoned by the fleeing commercial rider. The incident occurred at approximately 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 24, 2026, near Community Secondary School, Doss, when a suspected local criminal attempted to forcibly take a motorcycle from a commercial rider identified as Rabiu Abubakar.
According to security sources, troops stationed at Gyambwas received a distress alert and promptly mobilised to the scene. By the time they arrived, the commercial rider had resisted the attacker and fled the area for his own safety, but in doing so abandoned a passenger who was with him on the motorcycle. The passenger sustained injuries during the chaotic encounter, with sources confirming that he was hurt either during the struggle between the suspect and the rider or in the subsequent commotion.
The suspect, however, managed to escape upon sighting the approaching troops before he could be apprehended. The troops immediately secured the scene, rescued the injured passenger, and transported him to a nearby hospital for medical attention. The military has since launched a manhunt to track down the fleeing suspect, while patrols in the area have been intensified to deter further attacks.
No official statement has been issued by the Plateau State Police Command regarding the incident, but the military’s quick response highlights ongoing efforts to curb crime in the Mangu axis, which has witnessed a rise in similar attacks in recent months. In a separate incident on Thursday, May 21, 2026, troops of Operation Enduring Peace responded to a distress call along Jwak village in Mangu LGA, rescuing another motorcycle rider who was being attacked by suspected criminals trying to snatch his bike. In that case, the victim, identified as Shuaibu Ayuba, was taken to a medical centre in Mangu for treatment after the attackers fled.
The repeated motorcycle snatching attempts in Mangu LGA underscore the security challenges facing the area, where commercial motorcycles remain a popular means of transportation despite a ban on their operation within the Greater Jos Master Plan. The Plateau State Government has repeatedly affirmed that the 2012 ban on commercial motorcycles remains in force, with security agencies directed to enforce it strictly. However, enforcement in rural areas like Mangu has been inconsistent, leaving riders vulnerable to criminal attacks.
As of the time of this report, the injured passenger was receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility, and no further details about his condition have been released. The suspect remains at large, and the military has urged residents to report any suspicious activity to security agencies. The public has also been advised to remain vigilant and avoid boarding motorcycles from unknown riders in the area.
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