“They Thought I Was Dead”: Ondo Okada Rider Recounts Horrific Attack by Motorcycle Thieves

 

A commercial motorcyclist, Taiwo Adesooye, has shared a chilling account of how he narrowly escaped death after falling victim to a violent armed robbery attack by motorcycle thieves in Ore, Ondo State. The gruesome incident, which occurred on May 16, 2025, adds to the growing insecurity faced by okada riders in Nigeria, especially in the Southwest region.

In an exclusive interview with a state-owned newspaper over the weekend, Adesooye detailed the traumatic experience that left him seriously injured and battling for his life. He was shot in the left hand during the attack, while the robbers made away with his motorcycle, phone, and cash.

This incident is not isolated. It follows a tragic killing of another okada rider in the same Ore community—Nazifi Ibrahim, who was brutally murdered by similar assailants who also stole his motorcycle. These back-to-back attacks have sparked serious concerns about the safety of commercial motorcyclists in Ondo State.

The Attack: A Normal Day Turned Deadly

Narrating the ordeal, Adesooye said the incident happened around 8:00 PM as he was wrapping up for the day. He had just dropped off a passenger and her child in the Ogooluwa area of Ore and was looking forward to returning home.

“On that evening around 8pm, I had just dropped off a passenger and her child in the Ogooluwa area, hoping to conclude my day’s work,” he narrated.

According to him, he noticed a man standing at a junction, which seemed normal at first. As a commercial motorcyclist, he thought the man might be interested in hiring him for another short trip. He slowed down slightly but drove off when the man didn’t wave or signal.

“As I was leaving, I noticed a man approaching a junction. I drove off, thinking that he might hire me for another trip, but he didn’t."

But in a terrifying twist, four armed men suddenly emerged from the nearby bush. Initially, Adesooye thought they were security operatives or vigilantes because they tried to calm him and told him they weren’t there to harm him.

“Suddenly, I felt uneasy and then saw four men emerge from the bush. Initially, I thought they were security personnel when they told me to stay calm and assured me they weren’t after me."

That illusion quickly vanished when the men pulled out dangerous weapons from a bag—one brandished a cutlass, and another had a gun. Within seconds, they descended on him, beating him mercilessly and forcefully dragging him off his motorcycle.

“However, they quickly revealed their true intention, pulling out weapons like cutlass and gun from a bag. They began to beat me mercilessly, pushed me off my motorcycle, and stole my phone and money."

Despite the brutal assault, Adesooye said the robbers initially argued among themselves about whether or not to kill him. One of them insisted that he should be spared. But just as he was trying to regain his strength from the beating, another robber unexpectedly shot him in the left hand.

“As they were about to leave, despite my agony from the beating, one of them said I shouldn’t be killed. But before I could regain my footing, I felt a sharp pain as one of them shot me in the left hand, and then they sped away."

“They Thought I Was Dead”

The bullet tore through Adesooye’s hand, leaving him in immense pain and drenched in blood. He believes the robbers thought he was already dead or wouldn’t survive the gunshot wound. Left for dead on the roadside, Adesooye summoned what little strength he had left and cried for help.

Fortunately, residents in the area heard his cries and quickly came to his rescue. He was rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent treatment. The full extent of his injury is still being assessed, but he is alive and grateful to have survived what could have been a fatal night.

Call for Action: “We Are No Longer Safe”

Speaking from his hospital bed, Taiwo Adesooye issued a passionate appeal to security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force, to intensify their efforts in combating criminal activities in the area. He stressed that many okada riders now live in fear, not knowing who might be lurking in the shadows.

“I’m lucky to be alive, but what about others who didn’t make it? The government must act fast. We are no longer safe.”

He also urged his fellow commercial motorcyclists and residents of Ore to be more vigilant, especially when working late hours. According to him, working in isolated or dimly lit areas has now become a high-risk activity.

“Let every okada rider watch his back. Don’t pick passengers in lonely places, especially in the evening. These criminals are everywhere.”

Insecurity in Ore: A Pattern of Violence?

The attack on Adesooye is not an isolated case. Just a few weeks earlier, another commercial rider, Nazifi Ibrahim, was brutally killed in a similar robbery. The killers made away with his motorcycle, leaving his lifeless body on the road. Community members have since held small-scale protests, demanding better security in the town.

Residents of Ore say that these attacks point to a growing pattern of violent crimes, particularly targeting commercial motorcyclists. These riders are often seen as easy prey because they operate late into the night, carry cash, and typically travel alone.

What the Police Are Saying

Although the Ondo State Police Command has not yet issued an official statement on Adesooye’s case, community sources say investigations are ongoing. However, many believe that more proactive measures need to be taken, including increased night patrols, CCTV installations, and community policing to deter criminal elements.

Security experts also argue that local governments must prioritize job creation and youth engagement, as many of these crimes are linked to unemployed youth turning to robbery and violence as a means of survival.

Conclusion: A Call for Vigilance and Government Intervention

The terrifying ordeal of Taiwo Adesooye is a reminder of the growing insecurity many Nigerians face daily, particularly those in vulnerable jobs like commercial motorcycle riding. As the nation grapples with broader security challenges, local communities must not be left behind.

The Nigerian government, at both the state and federal levels, must take concrete action to protect the lives and livelihoods of its citizens. The story of Taiwo Adesooye is not just a headline—it is a cry for help from a man who stared death in the face and lived to tell the tale.

For now, Adesooye continues to recover from his injuries, but his message is clear: "We are no longer safe. Something must be done before more lives are lost."