A Kano-based tricycle rider, Bashir Muhammad, popularly known as Bashir Itata, has received an outpouring of gratitude and cash gifts totaling N600,000 after returning items left behind by passengers in his vehicle.
Bashir was transporting passengers who had come to the city for a four-day international conference at Bayero University Kano when he discovered that a passenger had forgotten souvenir bags containing important documents and personal belongings in his tricycle.
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Sani Bala, the owner of the items, recounted, “I accidentally left souvenir bags containing documents and a few personal belongings inside the commercial tricycle. The MC announced that our items were brought back, so we came forward to claim them.”
The incident unfolded at the 47th International Conference of the Chemical Society of Nigeria, held at the Mahmoud Tukur Theater, where Bashir’s honesty surprised many. After the master of ceremonies recognized his good deed, attendees generously contributed cash gifts, which were announced and totaled N600,000.
“I only came here to search for the owner of the items, but the way I was received greatly surprised me,” Bashir said. “I never expected to get so much; I have returned very valuable items in the past but was not received like this. I am happy for doing this. Some gave me cash, and others collected my account number, and I thank them so much.”
Bashir also took the opportunity to encourage his fellow tricycle riders to adopt similar practices. “I want to use this medium to encourage my fellow tricycle riders to cultivate the habit of returning forgotten items or at least taking the items to a radio station to be announced,” he added.