'They Tried to Cut Off His Hand for a Motorcycle': Two Suspects Arrested for Brutal Robbery in Lagos, Remanded in Kirikiri Prison

Ibrahim Rasaq and Rafiu Shittu accused of attacking victim with cutlass in failed attempt to steal Bajaj motorcycle; case transferred for legal advice as court awaits DPP directive

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command's Commissioner of Police Tactical Squad have arrested two suspected armed robbers who allegedly attempted to sever a victim's hand with a cutlass during a failed operation to steal his motorcycle.

The suspects, Ibrahim Rasaq, 25, and Rafiu Shittu, 32, were apprehended on November 3, 2025, at approximately 5 a.m. on Ikerele Street, Ilogbo Eremi, Lagos, following a distress call about an ongoing robbery.

The Attack

According to police reports, the duo intercepted Mr. Nnachi Ukpai, a motorcycle operator, with the intention of dispossessing him of his Bajaj motorcycle. Armed with a cutlass, they allegedly attempted to sever Ukpai's hand to facilitate the theft but missed their target, inflicting severe injuries on his left hand instead.

The victim's screams alerted residents, who promptly reported the incident to law enforcement. Police operatives responded swiftly, leading to the arrest of the two suspects at the scene, while other members of the gang remain at large.

Charges Filed

Following rounds of interrogation, the police found the suspects culpable and charged them before the Ogba Magistrate Court on multiple counts, including conspiracy, attempted armed robbery, and grievous harm.

The charges, as outlined in court documents, read:

- COUNT I: That the defendants conspired to commit a felony, to wit: attempted armed robbery, an offense punishable under Section 299 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

- COUNT II: That while armed with a cutlass, they attempted to rob Mr. Nnachi Ukpai of his Bajaj motorcycle, an offense punishable under Section 298(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

- COUNT III: That they unlawfully caused grievous harm to the victim by stabbing his left hand with a cutlass, an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 245 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Court Proceedings

During their arraignment, the prosecutor, Supol Philip Ademigbuji, requested that the matter be referred to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice, citing the serious nature of the alleged offenses. Consequently, the presiding magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, did not take the defendants' pleas.

Magistrate Kusanu ordered the suspects remanded in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Center in Lagos pending the outcome of the DPP's advice. She also directed the prosecutor to duplicate the case file and forward it to the DPP for legal guidance.

The matter has been adjourned for mention, at which point the DPP's advice will determine whether the case will be transferred to the High Court based on jurisdictional considerations.

Broader Context

The case adds to a growing list of violent crimes involving cutlass-wielding attackers in Lagos. In a similar 2020 case, members of the dreaded "One Million Boys" gang confessed to using cutlasses to cut off victims' hands during robberies, particularly when victims had nothing of value to offer . Another 2024 incident saw two security guards attack their employer with a cutlass, inflicting injuries on his hand and face before robbing him of N400,000 .

The pattern underscores the brutal tactics employed by some criminal elements in Lagos and the importance of swift police response and judicial action in deterring such violence.

For now, Rasaq and Shittu remain behind bars as the legal process unfolds. If convicted, they face significant prison time under Lagos State's criminal laws, which prescribe severe penalties for armed robbery and related offenses.