The police in Niger State have arrested a soldier, Private Sadiq Sani for allegedly cutting off the three fingers of a businessman, Abdulrahman Salihu, during an altercation in Minna, the state capital.

Spokesman of the police in the state, Wasi’u Abiodun said the incident occurred on March 30, the Eid-el-Fitr day, when Private Sani visited Salihu’s shop in the Makera area of Minna to purchase a pair of shoes.

Following the transaction, Sani reportedly requested Salihu’s bank account details so he can transfer the money for the shoes.

Sani was said to have sent a fake transfer alert, prompting Salihu to take back the shoes and insist on verifying the transaction before releasing the shoes.

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In response, Sani allegedly drew a sharp knife and attacked Salihu, inflicting deep wounds and severing three of his fingers, before fleeing to his residence in the Limawa area of Minna.

The suspect was later apprehended at his residence in Makera alongside another individual both of whom have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Minna, for further investigation and prosecution.

Meanwhile, a military source who pleaded anonymity said they have begun a full-scale investigation into the case and plans are being made to evacuate the suspect to defence headquarters in Abuja for further action.

(Editor: Okechukwu Eze)