Man stabbed to death over missing phone in Sokoto

A 32-year-old man, Usman Halilu, popularly known as “Mallam Giwa,” has been stabbed to death in Sokoto metropolis following a lingering dispute over a missing phone. The incident occurred on Sunday night at about 11.10pm in the Minanata area, leaving residents in shock. An eyewitness, Usman Shehu, who was with the deceased at the time, […]

A 32-year-old man, Usman Halilu, popularly known as “Mallam Giwa,” has been stabbed to death in Sokoto metropolis following a lingering dispute over a missing phone.

The incident occurred on Sunday night at about 11.10pm in the Minanata area, leaving residents in shock.

An eyewitness, Usman Shehu, who was with the deceased at the time, said the dispute dated back to about four months ago when a phone went missing at a charging shop.

According to him, the shop owner had asked the deceased to help move an engine into the shop.

“Giwa asked me to assist, but I didn’t. The suspect, Mansur Muhammad, then helped move it into the shop and left shortly after,” he said.

Shehu explained that moments later, the shop owner raised an alarm that a phone was missing, leading to suspicion against the suspect due to his alleged past involvement in similar incidents.

“We traced him, and the matter was reported to the police. At the end, they were asked to settle it among themselves,” he added.

He said the suspect allegedly held a grudge against the deceased, accusing him of exposing him, and had reportedly issued threats.

Recounting the night of the incident, Shehu said he and the deceased were walking together when he moved slightly ahead.

“I suddenly heard him shouting, ‘Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un.’ When I turned back, I saw Mansur stabbing him repeatedly,” he said.

He added that the suspect fled after the attack, while he and another person rushed the victim to the hospital.

“We had to get a police report before he could be attended to, but by the time we returned, the doctor confirmed him dead on arrival,” he said.

Following the incident, angry youths reportedly stormed the suspect’s family house in search of him, with some attempting to set it ablaze, forcing his parents to flee.

He said a neighbour spotted the suspect, leading to his arrest.

The deceased’s mother, Hauwa’u Halilu, described her son as calm and non-confrontational, saying his death has left the family devastated.

Confirming the incident, the Sokoto State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said the suspect is in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department.

He added that the suspect would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.