Leadnaija
A serving soldier, Private Sadiq Sani, has been arrested by the Niger State Police Command for allegedly severing three fingers of a businessman, Abdulrahman Salihu, during an altercation in Minna, the state capital.
The incident occurred on Eid-el-Fitr day when Private Sani visited Salihu’s shop in the Makera area of Minna with the intention of purchasing a pair of shoes.
Following the transaction, Sani reportedly requested Salihu’s bank account details, ostensibly to transfer payment. However, it was gathered that Sani sent a fake transfer alert, prompting Salihu to withhold the shoes and insist on verifying the transaction before releasing the goods.
In response, Sani allegedly drew a sharp knife and attacked Salihu, inflicting deep wounds and severing three of his fingers, before fleeing to his residence in the Limawa area of Minna.
Confirming the incident, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that on 30th March 2025 at about 3:00 pm, Abdulrahman Salihu, 26, of Abdulsalam Quarters, was brought to the Central Police Station, Minna, with three of his fingers severed.
He explained that according to preliminary investigation: “An argument ensued over the payment,” SP Abiodun said. “The suspected soldier drew a knife from his trousers and attempted to strike the victim on the head. However, Salihu managed to shield himself with his hand, resulting in the severing of three fingers.”
The suspect was later apprehended at his residence in Makera alongside another individual. Both have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Minna, for further investigation and prosecution.
