Soldier arrested for cutting off shoe seller’s fingers over payment dispute

A soldier is reported to have been arrested by the police who attacked one Abdulrahman Salisu with a cutlass.

The soldier, identified simply as Sudik allegedly attacked Abdulrahman and cut off three of his fingers at his shop near Jolly Bread, close to the Obasanjo Shopping Complex in Minna, Niger state.

According to report, Abdulrahman recounted that the soldier on Sallah day had entered his shop intending to buy a pair of shoes. After selecting a pair, Sudik claimed he had made a bank transfer for the payment.

However, when Abdulrahman checked his account, he had not received any confirmation of the transaction.

The situation quickly escalated when Sudik, insisting that his payment had gone through, drew a cutlass and attempted to strike Abdulrahman on the head. In a desperate effort to protect himself, Abdulrahman raised his left hand, and in the process, three of his fingers were severed.

As he screamed for help, Sudik and two other individuals who had accompanied him fled the scene before anyone could intervene.

Following the attack, Abdulrahman promptly reported the incident at a nearby police station.

Authorities later confirmed that Sudik had been arrested and was in custody, while Abdulrahman was receiving treatment at the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna.

Meanwhile, traders and shop owners in the area, particularly those operating around Mobil roundabout, Jolly Bread, and the Obasanjo Shopping Complex, have voiced their growing concerns over the rise in criminal activities.

They cited increasing incidents of thuggery and armed robbery that have left business owners and customers feeling unsafe.

Jolly Bread, which serves as the primary distribution hub for newspapers in Minna, has seen a surge in security threats, forcing sales representatives, agents, and newspaper vendors to work in constant fear due to the presence of suspected criminals who operate at all hours.

In light of the worsening security situation, traders and residents have called on the Niger State Government to enhance security measures in the area. Many expressed frustration over the persistent threat to their safety and livelihoods, emphasising the urgent need for government intervention to curb the rising crime rate.