GistNexus – March 2, 2025.
A violent encounter between a soldier and a local vendor of shoes has ignited anger and terror among residents and traders in Minna, Niger State capital, with the latter suffering severe mutilation during the fracas and raising serious issues concerning security and law enforcement in the city.
The Incident: A Transaction Gone Horribly Wrong
According to the information reaching GistNexus, the soldier, whose name was revealed as Sudik, made a visit to Abdulrahman Salisu’s shoe shop located close to the Jolly Bread junction, a business hub near the Obasanjo Shopping Complex. Sudik made the trip to purchase a pair of shoes from Abdulrahman in what seemed like a normal transaction. The situation, however, rapidly escalated into a violent attack with catastrophic consequences.
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Abdulrahman Salisu recounted that after he chose a pair of boots, Sudik informed him that he had paid through a bank transfer, a common means of payment in Nigeria’s ever more digitalized economy. But Abdulrahman explained to the soldier that he had not yet seen any such notice of the transfer by way of alert on his mobile banking app.
A Cutlass Attack and Severed Fingers
It was here that things took a turn for the sinister and dark. Witnesses alleged that instead of either having a civics lesson in exchange or an attempt at ending the payment differences amicably, Sudik supposedly lost control and became aggressive. In the most unexpected of turns, allegedly, the soldier drew out a cutlass and waved it in Abdulrahman’s face threateningly.
Instinctively reaching for self-defense, Abdulrahman raised his left hand to protect himself. Unfortunately, the violent and sudden attack resulted in three of his fingers being amputated by the blade. Matters quickly turned into chaos as Abdulrahman howled with pain and terror and drew the attention of the nearby traders and pedestrians.
The Aftermath: Flight and Apprehension
Eyewitnesses reported that Sudik and two friends who accompanied him to the shop immediately fled, leaving Abdulrahman in his traumatized and bleeding condition. The callous disregard for human life and the ferocity of the attack left the society in shock.
On the day of the attack, Abdulrahman Salisu reported at the nearby police station to record a complaint, detailing the atrocious ordeal he had to face. The police officers responded immediately by initiating investigations into the case, and the following day, Sudik was arrested by the security apparatuses. He continues to stay in detention as additional details concerning the on-going inquiry and eventual charges to be placed will unfold over the course of the upcoming days.
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Victim Undergoing Medical Treatment
Abdulrahman, however, is receiving medical treatment at the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna. The doctors are trying their best to stabilize his condition and provide the right care for his serious injuries. The long-term impact of the incident, physical and mental, can only be imagined.
Increased Security Fears Among Traders
The brutal attack on Abdulrahman Salisu has ignited a firestorm of anger and anxiety among traders in Mobil roundabout, Jolly Bread, and Obasanjo Shopping Complex zones. The traders have expressed increasing concerns regarding the increase in the number of attacks and armed robberies within the zone.
Many have complained of theft, harassment, and even violent robbery, inducing an atmosphere of fear and insecurity. They are pained by the insufficient security arrangements and the apparent inability of the police to adequately protect their means of livelihood and lives.
Call for Government Action
In response to the escalating security concerns, shop owners’ and traders’ delegates have issued a collective call to action, pushing the Niger State government to place a premium on the safety and security of the business community. They are calling for additional police patrols, streetlights, and deployment of other security devices to prevent criminality and create an environment of security for business.
A Reminder of Broader Challenges
The attack on Abdulrahman Salisu is a somber reminder of the challenges facing many communities in Nigeria, where security concerns and socioeconomic complaints at times overflow into violence. The attack has emphasized the need for greater vigilance, improved law enforcement, and renewed emphasis on non-violent conflict resolution.
GistNexus Commitment to Continued Coverage
As the investigation of the soldier’s behavior continues, GistNexus will remain dedicated to providing you with updates on this case, and on the broader security and justice questions it raises. We will keep open a forum for the voices of the affected community and insist on solutions that bring safety, stability, and economic prosperity for all.
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Reported by GistNexus Team and Edited by Mr. Chibueze Onwuka