15-year-old Killed In Niger Gang Clash, Five Suspects Arrested
A 15-year-old suspected hoodlum, Saidu Udu, was killed during a violent gang clash in Minna, Niger State, on Saturday.
Police operatives arrested five suspects who were attempting to flee the scene.
The Niger State Police Command confirmed the incident on Monday, revealing that their patrol team responded but the hoodlums had already fled.
The command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun said: “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.
“In a follow-up sting operation within the area, about five miscreants were arrested. They are currently undergoing investigation, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing hoodlums.”
The clash, reportedly involving over 50 hoodlums, was said to have stemmed from a disagreement over the sharing of Christmas money allegedly given to them by an unidentified benefactor.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the hoodlums, armed with knives, cutlasses, and daggers, turned violent, leading to Udu being fatally stabbed in the stomach.
A resident, Malik Nurudeen, narrated the incident, “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,” he said.
Residents lamented the increasing menace of hoodlum violence in Minna, with frequent clashes leaving victims injured, robbed, or killed.
Despite police efforts to curb the activities of the miscreants, known locally as Yan Daba (Area Boys), the criminal elements continue to terrorise the city.
Several residents have reportedly been killed or maimed during encounters with the miscreants, who often evade arrest and resume their nefarious activities.
The Police Commissioner, Shawulu Danmamman, had earlier assured residents of adequate security during the festive season.
