Suspected assailants have killed a 30-year-old Point of Sale operator, Aliyu Vatsa, in Minna, the capital of Niger State.
PUNCH Online learnt that the attackers forced their way into Vatsa’s residence in the T-Mama area of the city in the early hours of Monday.
According to sources, the assailants rejected pleas and offers of money made by the victim, reportedly telling him, “We are here just to kill you.”
The attackers were said to have stabbed him in the stomach before macheting him several times.
PUNCH Online further gathered that Vatsa’s cries for help attracted neighbours, but they were unable to rescue him or apprehend any of the attackers.
The neighbours reportedly rushed him to a station of the Nigeria Police Force in Tudunwada before proceeding to the General Hospital in Minna, where he was confirmed dead.
The elder brother of the deceased, Ibrahim Kolo, confirmed the incident, adding that the remains of his brother were buried at a Muslim burial ground at about 10 a.m. on Monday.
“It is very sad and pathetic. I believe my brother’s killers will surely be arrested and brought to justice,” Kolo said.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident on Tuesday, saying the assailants fled before police operatives arrived at the scene.
He said, “On 9th March, 2026 at about 3am, report received indicated that there was a suspected culpable homicide around Mandela area of Minna, and Police patrol team attached to Tudun-wada Division moved to the scene, but before getting there, the assailants had escaped.
“It was discovered that the victim who was identified as one Aliyu Musa, 34 years, a PoS operator, was attacked in his house by two suspects. Based on body examination, it was discovered that he was attacked and shot on the chest, with a machete cut injury on his head.
“During the incident, the victim and his wife raised an alarm, which attracted neighbours, but the suspects escaped and nothing was stolen in the house. Exhibits recovered include one iron cutter, which was used to gain entrance through the window, and a cutlass was also recovered.
“The victim was taken to General Hospital, Minna, where he was confirmed dead. The incident is under investigation and efforts to arrest the hoodlums are in progress.”