A 50-year-old Okada rider, Sikiru Muritala, on Wednesday, was attacked by unknown gunmen and had his hand chopped off in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

The incident happened at Saribi in the Akinyele Local Government Area of the state around 9 pm, and it was reported that the motorcyclist’s hand was chopped off in an attempt to snatch his bike.

It was gathered that all efforts by these men to snatch the bike were unsuccessful despite chopping off the rider’s hand.

According to the PUNCH, the man speaking on his hospital bed at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Muritala, said, “I am a trailer mechanic, but when things turned upside down, I decided to go for Okada business.

“On that day, though, I normally picked passengers to that area. I went to drop a passenger, and as I was coming back, they attacked me with the intention of snatching the bike. They spoke the language I didn’t understand. Unfortunately, they were unable to go with the bike. But they chopped off my hand. You can see for yourself.

“They chopped off my hand and collected my phone and all my money. We are spending a huge amount of money currently at the UCH. I need government assistance and well-to-do people in society to assist me. They should help me.”

However, the police have not issued an official statement, as Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer Adewale Osifeso was unreachable.