Mbour, Senegal – Two Senegalese men, M. K. Mané and M. Diop, were arrested in The Gambia on charges of robbery and violent assault following a series of attacks on Jakarta motorcycle drivers in the Senegalese Petite Côte region of Mbour. The suspects, along with a third individual, Mr. Mané, are believed to have targeted motorcycle drivers, stealing their vehicles and leaving victims severely injured.

The arrests were made possible through a collaborative effort between Interpol and Gambian law enforcement, with the two suspects apprehended in The Gambia and subsequently handed over to the Senegalese police. The arrest took place after a lengthy investigation into a string of motorcycle thefts that had plagued the region.

According to reports, the gang’s most recent attack occurred on December 24, when they targeted A. Sonko, a Jakarta motorcycle driver from Saly. Mané, one of the perpetrators, had arranged a ride with Sonko, pretending to be a passenger needing a trip to the village of Youngar, located on National Road 1 towards Dakar.

The two men agreed on the price for the ride, but along the way, Mané convinced Sonko to take a “shortcut” on a laterite road, which ultimately led them into a trap. As they neared the entrance to Youngar, three armed men emerged from the bushes, including Mané’s accomplices, who attacked Sonko with machetes before stealing his motorcycle.

Despite sustaining severe injuries, Sonko managed to alert nearby villagers. They quickly apprehended one of the attackers, M. Mané, and took him to the local police station. While the victim fought for his life in the hospital, Mané confessed to his involvement in the crime and named his fellow criminals—M. K. Mané, M. Diop, and the elusive E. Diallo, who remains at large.

Following the arrest, investigators raided the home of E. Diallo in Yeumbeul, Dakar, where they discovered Sonko’s stolen motorcycle carefully parked in his room. The suspects reportedly admitted to targeting only new motorcycles, suggesting a premeditated and organized operation.

The two arrested men were handed over to the Senegalese police at the border in Karang, where they are currently being held in connection with the violent robbery. They were formally referred to the Mbour public prosecutor’s office last Friday. Authorities are continuing their efforts to track down E. Diallo, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

The case highlights the ongoing efforts by regional police forces and international agencies like Interpol to combat cross-border crime and bring perpetrators to justice.