A tragic and violent incident in Minna, Niger State, has left a community in mourning after a 23-year-old man allegedly stabbed his childhood friend to death following a dispute over sachet water, commonly known as 'pure water'. The Niger State Police Command confirmed the arrest of the suspect, Abdulazeez Abubakar.
How a Minor Dispute Escalated to Tragedy
The fatal altercation occurred on the evening of Tuesday, December 17, 2025, in the Dutsen-Kura-Hausa area of Minna. According to eyewitness accounts, the argument began as both young men, who were neighbours living along Adamawa Road, were preparing for the Maghrib prayer.
The disagreement reportedly centred on the use of a sachet of water meant for ablution. What started as a seemingly minor misunderstanding quickly spiralled into a heated confrontation between the two friends who had grown up together.
"One moment they were arguing, the next thing we heard was shouting. Nobody imagined it would end the way it did," a resident was quoted as saying, capturing the community's shock at the sudden turn of events.
Victim Succumbs to Injuries Despite Rescue Efforts
During the heated argument, Abubakar allegedly produced a sharp object and stabbed the victim, identified as 20-year-old Sadiq Sani. The attack inflicted severe injuries on Sani.
Neighbours and passers-by at the scene made frantic attempts to save the young man's life. Despite these efforts, Sani later succumbed to the wounds he sustained during the attack, a loss that has deeply affected the tight-knit community.
Police Confirm Arrest and Launch Investigation
The Niger State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, provided official details of the incident. He stated that police operatives attached to the GRA Division responded swiftly to a distress call received at about 7:40 PM on the date of the incident.
"Police operatives of GRA Division rushed to the scene and arrested Abubakar. The incident is under investigation, and the suspect will soon be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Minna, for further necessary action," Abiodun stated.
The police have used this tragic event to urge members of the public to always seek peaceful means of resolving disputes and to avoid resorting to violence, which can have irreversible consequences.
Community Mourns a Calm and Friendly Youth
The sudden death of Sadiq Sani has thrown the Dutsen-Kura community into a state of grief and disbelief. Residents described the deceased as a calm and friendly individual, making the violent nature of his death even more difficult to comprehend.
This incident highlights how quickly everyday disagreements can escalate into irreversible tragedy, serving as a sombre reminder of the importance of conflict resolution and emotional control.
