Police in northern Côte d’Ivoire have arrested three men suspected of carrying out a violent robbery on a motorcyclist traveling between Dikodougou and Dassoungboho.
The suspects were taken into custody following an operation by the Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI) of Korhogo.
The attack occurred when the victim was stopped by three individuals armed with a machete, a knife, and a club.
According to initial investigation findings, the assailants beat the motorcyclist before stealing his Haojue-brand motorcycle, his mobile phone, and 400,000 FCFA in cash.
The suspects also allegedly forced the victim to disclose his Mobile Money account code, which they then used to withdraw an additional 200,000 FCFA.
The total cash stolen in the incident is estimated at 600,000 FCFA, not including the motorcycle and phone.
Following the report, the Korhogo BRI launched a search. Anonymous tips reportedly directed investigators to the Natio neighborhood, where police arrested a first suspect identified by the initials S.N.S., also known as “Katao,” on the same day.
During questioning, S.N.S. allegedly led investigators to two presumed accomplices: S.W.A. and S.A., who goes by the alias “Anderson.” Police located S.W.A. at his home, while Anderson was found at Katao’s residence at the time of the operation.
Investigators noted that Anderson had a bandaged left foot. When questioned, he allegedly said the injury was inflicted by a victim during a previous robbery.
This statement prompted police to expand their inquiry into the group’s other suspected activities.
The three suspects were brought to the Korhogo BRI and questioned separately. According to investigators, they admitted involvement in the alleged offenses.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the group’s possible operations in other areas, including Dikodougou, Tioro, Dassoungboho, Lakpolo, and Sinématiali. The three individuals have been presented to the competent judicial authorities to answer for the charges.
Source: Ivoirematin