A violent clash between rival gangs in Minna, Niger State, left a 15-year-old, Saidu Udu, dead on Saturday.
The Niger State Police Command confirmed the incident on Monday, stating that five suspects were apprehended while attempting to escape the scene.
According to the State Command’s Spokesperson,Wasiu Abiodun, the confrontation occurred between miscreants from the Gurgudu area of Maitumbi and Kwari-Berger.
“On 21/12/2024 at about 11:30 hrs, some miscreants from the Gurgudu area of Maitumbi and Kwari-Berger attacked each other, leading to the death of one Saidu Udu, 15, of Gurgudu. A police patrol team from Maitumbi Division moved to the scene, but the miscreants had escaped. The victim was taken to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead,” Abiodun stated in a WhatsApp message to The PUNCH.
A subsequent sting operation in the vicinity led to the arrest of five individuals believed to be involved in the violence.
“They are currently undergoing investigation, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing hoodlums,” Abiodun added.
The altercation, which reportedly involved over 50 individuals armed with knives, cutlasses, and daggers, was said to have been sparked by a disagreement over the distribution of Christmas money allegedly provided by an anonymous benefactor.
An eyewitness, Malik Nurudeen, described the chaotic scene, “These area boys are always coming here to threaten us, but today, they were more than 50. Initially, we thought they were one group, but we later discovered they were two groups arguing. From their argument, it was clear they had received Christmas money from someone but couldn’t agree on the sharing formula. They started threatening each other with their weapons until one of them was stabbed, and then everyone started running helter-skelter.”
The deceased, Saidu Udu, was reportedly stabbed in the stomach during the confrontation.
Residents have expressed frustration with the rising violence attributed to local gangs, known as Yan Daba, which frequently results in injuries, robberies, or fatalities.
Despite heightened police efforts and assurances of enhanced security from the state’s Police Commissioner, Shawulu Danmamman, during the festive period, Minna continues to grapple with the menace of gang-related violence.
