Soldier allegedly kills fruit seller for not giving him free bunch of bananas

A fruit vendor in Zamfara state identified as Abdulkadir Musa, has been shot dead by a soldier after he refused to allow the suspect leave without paying for a bunch of banana.

The incident happened along Aebasu Road, Gusau Bypass, on Sunday, May 9

Narrating the incident, the father of the deceased, Alhaji Mustafa Musa, told PUNCH that two soldiers went to his son’s fruits stand and bought a bunch of bananas, the soldiers paid for the bunch and tried to collect another one for free which led to a squabble.

“They bought a bunch bananas for N300 and instead of them to take the one they paid for, they also took another one and wanted to go with it, but my son did not allow them to do so,” he narrated.

“When they insisted that they must go with the bunch of bananas, the fruit vendor rushed to the police station, which was very close to the scene of the incident, and reported the case and the two soldiers were arrested, but they were released shortly after.”

Mustafa said that after the soldiers were released, one of them went home, fetched a gun and returned to the scene and allegedly shot the fruit vendor.

The grieving father said that he reported the issue to all relevant authorities, including the Human Rights Commission, so that action could be taken against the soldier, who killed his son.

“I have reported the case to the concerned authorities and I will not rest until the soldier is punished to serve as a deterrent to others,” Mustafa added.

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Mohammed Shehu, who confirmed the incident, said they are investigating the issue.