Police in Niger State have arrested a soldier, Private Sadiq Sani, for allegedly robbing and attacking a 26-year-old shoe seller, Abdulrahman Salihu, on the day of the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
The shocking incident happened in the Makera area of Minna, the state capital, where Sani reportedly assaulted the shop owner during a failed attempt to make a fraudulent purchase.
According to reports, Sani had entered Salihu’s shop pretending to buy a pair of shoes. After selecting what he wanted, he requested the shop owner’s account details and claimed he was going to pay through a mobile transfer.
However, Salihu suspected foul play after noticing that the payment alert was fake. He refused to release the shoes until he received the money in his account. That decision angered the soldier.
In a sudden and violent reaction, Sani reportedly pulled out a sharp knife and attacked Salihu, cutting off three of his fingers in the process.
Salihu reportedly told police officers, “He tried to cut my head with the knife. But I raised my hand to block it, and he chopped off my fingers instead.”
Eyewitnesses said Sani fled the scene and ran to his house in the Limawa area of Minna. Concerned neighbours tried to chase him but couldn’t catch him.
The attack was quickly reported to the Central Police Station in Minna, and a team of heavily armed officers tracked the soldier to his residence. He was arrested after putting up a fight with the police.
According to the spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, Sani was not alone when he was arrested.
Abiodun said, “On 30th March 2025 at about 3pm, one Abdulrahman Salisu was brought to the Central Police Station with three of his fingers cut off. Preliminary investigation showed that the victim had a misunderstanding over payment with the suspect, who is a soldier. The suspect removed a cutlass from his trousers and attacked him.”
Abiodun added, “The suspect was later arrested at his residence in the Makera area of Minna with one other person. Both suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and prosecution.”
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The Nigerian Army has also been notified about the matter. A military officer, Captain U.S. Ibrahim, from the 313 Brigade Headquarters in Minna Cantonment, has been assigned to investigate the case fully.
Captain Ibrahim said, “We are taking him to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja. He will face a court martial for possible dismissal from the army. After that, he will be handed over to the police to face prosecution in a civilian court.”
Sources say Private Sani is a known troublemaker in the area and has been involved in previous criminal acts, although no formal charges were brought against him until now.
Meanwhile, Salihu is currently recovering from his injuries. He has received medical treatment, but the emotional and physical scars remain.
Salihu told friends, “I never expected something like this, especially on a festive day. I just want justice.”