Thief Poses as Customer, Slits Hawker’s Throat Over ₦1,500 Belt in Abuja

 

A tragic incident unfolded in Dutse-Alhaji town, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, as a suspected thief attacked a street hawker, Babangida Abdullahi, and fled with his goods without paying.

The attack occurred on the morning of Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Gate 1 in Dutse-Alhaji, where 25-year-old Abdullahi was selling waist belts. According to his account from his hospital bed at Kubwa General Hospital, two men approached him pretending to be customers.

“One of them picked a belt worth ₦1,500 and put it in his pocket. When I confronted him, he refused to pay or return it,” Abdullahi recounted.

He further revealed that the suspect suddenly pulled out a sharp object and slashed his neck before fleeing the scene by crossing the expressway.

A police officer rushed the victim to Kubwa General Hospital, where medical personnel performed emergency surgery to repair veins close to his throat’s artery. However, hospital officials expressed concern that no family member or acquaintance had come forward to support Abdullahi, leaving them to cover his medical expenses.

Dr. Emmanuel Musa, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, assured that the facility would continue to provide care while efforts were made to locate the victim’s relatives.

This incident highlights the dangers street hawkers face and raises concerns about safety and medical support for victims of violent crimes.