Police Nab Men Who Chopped Off NYSC Member’s Hand

The police in Bayelsa State have arrested two men, who chopped off the hand of a female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Miss Folakemi Akinbode, in Yenagoa.

The two men were arrested, while attempting to sell her blackberry phone, which was inside her bag when she was attacked. The incident happened in Abuah in Yenagoa local government area.

The men, identified as Ebi Jatto and Weriye Aluwa, were arrested on Wednesday, at the neighbouring Koroama community by youths of the area, who were aware of the attack on the lady.

The suspicion of the youths of Koroama was aroused as they were aware that the boys, who were known, could not afford such a phone they were attempting to sell.

Akinbode was attacked and her hand severed by the boys, who also made away with her hand bag.

Thisday gathered that the two men have been identified by hospital staff as they regularly donate blood to the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, where Akinbode, a nurse, was working.

It was found that following a recent burglary, Akinbode was saddled with paying for those who donated blood. The men were said to have thought she usually went home with the money, hence the attack on her.

Police sources said the suspects had confessed to the crime and claimed the 26-year-old Ondo State indigene struggled with them, while they were attempting to snatch her bag.

Folakemi was attacked at about 8.30pm, while returning to the Corpers’ Lodge near the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobori.

According to the source, the two attackers were present during the payment made to blood donors by the corps member, where “they claimed that all they wanted from her was the remaining money she kept in her bag after the payments in the afternoon. But that when she struggled and identified one of them, she was attacked with machete.”

Confirming the arrest, the Paramount Ruler of the Community, the Ibolou XI of Obunagha, H.R.H Godsgive Apoh, said the quick arrest of the suspected attackers was made possible by the Youth Vigilante Association set up to investigate and apprehend those involved in the attack. The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr.Alex Akhigbe confirmed the arrest and said they are yet to establish the motive behind the attack.

Source: Thisday