A tragic incident has shocked the residents of Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, as a 20-year-old wheelbarrow pusher, Alfa Ali, was arrested for allegedly stabbing his colleague, Hayyatu Ibrahim, to death. The incident, which occurred on April 10, 2025, was said to be the result of a lingering disagreement between the two men over business dealings.
According to the Nasarawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the fatal stabbing happened after a quarrel broke out between the two men regarding who should carry goods that had just arrived from Jos, Plateau State.
Speaking to journalists during the parade of five recently arrested suspects, the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC in the state, Assistant Superintendent of Corps (ASC) Muhammed Suraju, said the victim was rushed to the Federal University Teaching Hospital in Lafia but was pronounced dead on arrival.
He said, “On April 10, 2025, at about 2:00 pm, our men on patrol within the Lafia metropolis apprehended one Alfa Ali, aged 20, who allegedly stabbed his colleague, Hayyatu Ibrahim, to death with a horn. He was about taking to his heels when he was caught.”
Suraju explained that both the suspect and the deceased were wheelbarrow pushers who worked at the Angwan Maina Park in Lafia. They both hailed from Jigawa State and had known each other for some time. However, a disagreement between them two days before the incident over who had the right to carry certain goods sparked the deadly confrontation.
“The case lingered in Alfa Ali’s unforgiven heart until he finally achieved his nefarious aim by sending the deceased, Hayyatu Ibrahim, to his early grave,” the NSCDC spokesman added.
Alfa Ali, after being arrested, reportedly confessed to the crime. The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Muhammed Kabir Ingawa, has ordered a full investigation into the matter. Once completed, the suspect will be charged to court for prosecution.
The killing has raised serious concerns among residents and traders in the area, especially those working in informal sectors such as wheelbarrow pushing, where competition for daily jobs is high and tensions often run deep.
Locals in Lafia described the incident as both shocking and unfortunate. “We all know these boys. They push wheelbarrows for a living and sometimes fight over small things, but no one ever imagined it could end in death,” said a shop owner near the Angwan Maina Park who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The NSCDC has urged residents to be cautious and mindful of the people they associate with. ASC Suraju used the opportunity to appeal to members of the public to avoid unresolved disputes and not allow anger to lead them into committing crimes.
“We are calling on members of the public, especially the youth, to learn to settle misunderstandings peacefully. Violence is never the answer. This incident is a sad reminder of what can happen when we allow anger and resentment to fester,” he said.
This is not the first time a minor dispute has ended in bloodshed among informal workers in Nigeria. Across the country, there have been several cases where petty arguments among labourers, transporters, or traders have led to serious violence or death. Experts believe that the growing economic hardship and unemployment are major causes of such conflicts.
In Nasarawa State, the informal sector remains a vital part of the local economy, employing thousands of young people, especially migrants from the northern states. Wheelbarrow pushers, who earn daily income by helping traders and buyers move goods in markets, parks, and other busy areas, often face tough competition and long hours of physical labour.
However, with little regulation or organized structure, disputes are often settled informally, and sometimes, violently. Security agencies in the state have promised to step up patrols in crowded areas like markets and parks to prevent such violent acts in the future.
In recent years, the NSCDC and the Nigeria Police Force have been working to improve safety in Nasarawa State, but incidents like this continue to highlight the urgent need for more proactive conflict resolution mechanisms among the youth and vulnerable groups.
Meanwhile, the NSCDC Commandant, Muhammed Kabir Ingawa, has reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring that justice is served and peace is maintained in the state. He promised that the suspect, Alfa Ali, will face the full wrath of the law.
The body of the late Hayyatu Ibrahim has since been deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital mortuary, while investigations continue.
As the community mourns the senseless loss of a young life, residents are calling on the government and civil society groups to do more in addressing the root causes of such violence, including poverty, lack of education, and the absence of social support for young people struggling to make a living in harsh economic conditions.