Armed robbers threaten Boda boda riders in Acholi Sub region amidst Museveni’s visit

By Geoffrey Okot Ojok

GULU: Boda Boda motorcycle riders in Acholi Sub region are living in fear following the rising cases of armed robberies in the region.

Two Boda boda riders have been shot dead and their motorcycle robbed off and one seriously injured by the armed robbers within four days.

Okello Samuel (deceased) aged 32yrs was shot dead on Wednesday night at Vanguard Cell, Pece Laroo, Gulu East Division in Gulu City and his motorcycle Reg. No. UFF 186T was taken off by the armed robbers.

The deceased is a resident of Pece African Quarters Cell, Gulu East Division in Gulu City.

It is alleged that on 22/02/2023 at around midnight, the deceased carried two unknown men from Gulu Town near Makome Guest house taking them to a place called Aywee but as they reached Vanguard cell, the passengers stopped the deceased, shot him dead and went away with his motorcycle.

Another victim was shot dead in Kitgum district and his motorcycle and the assailant went away with his motorcycle.

Canomita Alfred Otika, another boda boda rider in Kitgum Municipality, Kitgum district is currently nursing his wounds after unknown gunmen shot him in the hand as they wanted to move away with his motorcycle.

Mr. Otika says he was waylaid on the way by three at around 20:00pm, of 17/02/2023 while he was taking his customer to Akworo village in Labongo-Amida Sub-county but on reaching her destination.

He allegedly one of the three men was armed with a rifle trailing him on a motorcycle where they tried to stop him but he did not stop prompting them to discharge a bullet injuring his two fingers.

Mr. Simon Ojok, a boda boda cyclist who lost his Bike in December last year told the second Opinion that he is scared of riding boda boda in fear for his life.

“I lost my own motorcycle to a thief last year yet that was my only source of leaving, now I am hiring from someone which is a big setback for me”. Mr. Ojok said.

David Ongom Mudong, the Aswa River Region Police Spokesperson says they have registered a case of attempted aggravated robbery at Kitgum Central Police Station under VIDE SD REF: 63/17/02/2023.

Mr. Mudong also confirmed that they also registered a statement on murder and aggravated robbery VIDE CRB: 55/2023 at Gulu City central Police Station.

He said so far 8 people have been arrested in connection to the aggravated robbery in Kitgum district meanwhile, no arrest has been made for the armed robbery in Gulu City.

“Clues leading to the arrest of the suspect have been gathered and soon we shall have the culprits apprehended and charged in courts of law to answer charges of Murder and Aggravated robbery”. Mudong said.

The Flying squad team carried out tracking that led them to one of the grass thatched huts at Teogali, Chuda Parish, Gulu West Division in Gulu City allegedly belonging to the suspect who is currently on the run”. He adds.

TheAswa Police mouthpiece said after a thorough search was conducted in the said grass thatched hut, an AK 47 assault Rifle was recovered with 05 rounds of ammunition, a tracking device which was in the stolen motorcycle belonging to WATU Credit Company, head Socks, house breaking implements and three master keys were also all recovered in the same hut.

He explained that all the items recovered were exhibited accordingly to further aid in investigations.

According to the recent 2022 crimes report released by Police, a total of 5,675 cases of Theft of Motorcycles were reported to Police in the period under review compared to 4,308 cases reported in 2021, giving an increase of 31.7% Motorcycle Thefts in the whole year. A total of 5,509 Motorcycles were reported stolen, out of which, 2,381 were recovered, 515 were found abandoned, while 2,614 were not recovered.