A butcher, Bashiru Ahmed, has been arrested by the police in Lagos State for allegedly cutting off the ear of his friend at an abattoir in the Agege area of the state.
This information was contained in a statement signed by the the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Benjamin Hundeyin who said the suspect cut off the ear of Abdulahi Adulmalik over a misunderstanding they both had in 2023.
His words, “One Abdullahi Adulmalik of Abattoir Market reported the case at the Abattoir Police Division on Monday.
“The complainant said that at about 4:00 am the same day, one Bashiru Ahmed, also of Abattoir Market, used a knife to cut off his right ear over a misunderstanding they had in 2023.
“The victim was rushed to the hospital where he is still being treated.”
Hundeyin said that the suspect was being detained for interrogation.
In a separate development, the Department of State Services (DSS) in Niger State has arrested 17 suspects, including a septuagenarian, for their alleged involvement in the vandalism of interlocks, armoured cables, metals, and other state government property on the streets of Minna.
The suspects, between 18-year-old to 70-year-old, were apprehended last Saturday between 11 pm and 1 am while they were in the process of stealing the items.
The group of suspected vandals reportedly uses over seven different brands of vehicles, including tipper trucks, J5, and tricycles, to transport the stolen items before being intercepted by security operatives.
Muktar Danladi, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure who confirmed the arrests, stated that the suspects had vandalized government properties intended for the construction of the New Niger project.
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, along with the permanent secretary, condemned the criminal activities and stated that the state government is committed to curbing such actions by providing employment opportunities.
Danladi asserted, “The state government will not tolerate this. At the moment, there are 17 people in the DSS custody, and they are going to be handed over to the police and prosecuted after the investigation is concluded.”
The SSA urged parents to keep a vigilant eye on their wards to prevent them from engaging in activities that could lead to trouble.
When contacted, the DSS Deputy Director of Operations, Olabisi Kehinde, declined to comment, stating that she does not speak to the media.
The suspects are expected to face prosecution after the conclusion of the investigation.