Youths in the Sharada area of Kano metropolis on Wednesday set ablaze a tricycle allegedly used by two suspected phone snatchers, following a theft incident at a private school.
The suspects reportedly entered Al-Abbas College under the pretence of seeking admission for two children recently relocated from Kaduna.
However, they allegedly stole the proprietor's phone during their visit.
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Sunusi Hamisu, a staff member at the school, told Daily Trust that he directed the suspects to the proprietor's office after they had spoken with the headmistress.
"The proprietor was explaining the registration process when his phone fell. One of them picked it up and they left immediately," he said.
Realising his phone was missing, the proprietor raised an alarm and pursued the suspects. Though they had already switched off the phone and removed the SIM cards and casing, he managed to retrieve it before they fled in a waiting tricycle.
While the tricycle driver escaped, bystanders arrested the two suspects and handed them over to the Sharada Divisional Police Office and set the tricycle ablaze.
An eyewitness, Abdullahi Musa, said the suspects were beaten before being handed over to the police. "In Kano, we've resolved that any tricycle used by phone snatchers will be burnt. Enough is enough," he added.
The police spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, did not respond to calls but promised to get back to the reporter.
