Police arrest soldier for alleged robbery
A soldier identified as Sadiq Sani has been arrested for alleged armed robbery and attempted murder after severing a limb of a Minna-based businessman, Abdulrahman Salihu, in Niger State
Penpushing reports that the suspect a Nigerian army private was by the police and as at the time of filing this report the victim is said to be receiving treatment at a specialist hospital in Minna
The suspect reportedly attacked Salihu on Eid-el-Fitr day at the businessman’s clothing shop, when he was said to have approached the shop to purchase a set of shirts and requested the shop owner’s bank account details to transfer the money.
Penpushing further reports that an eyewitness said when the trader refused to release the items until the payment was confirmed, the suspect allegedly brought out a knife and stabbed him multiple times, severing one of his arms before fleeing the scene.
The eyewitness explained that efforts by neighbours to apprehend the suspect immediately after the attack were unsuccessful, adding that, police operatives from the Central Divisional Command in Minna later tracked him to his residence in the Limawa area of the city.
Penpushing also reports that a police source who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to journalists said the soldier resisted arrest and engaged officers in a physical struggle before being subdued.
The sources said preliminary investigations revealed that Sani is a known figure in the local criminal networks in Minna, with past allegations linking him to violent robberies and phone snatching.
Penpushing reports that a security source disclosed that the soldier had previously been implicated in incidents that led to multiple fatalities, adding that as at the time of this report the army has since taken over the investigation.
The sources added that the suspect who is to face probe is expected as at the time of filing this report to be transferred to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for disciplinary procedures.
Penpushing further reports that the Niger State Police Command when contacted promised to issue an official statement after the military concludes its internal disciplinary process.
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