A 10-year-old boy, identified as Abubakar Lawal, has died after a fight with other children in Karaku community, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, August 11, 2025, reportedly happened while Abubakar and his friend, nine-year-old Hassan Adamu Umar, were returning from grazing their parents’ sheep in the Karaku forest area.
According to police and eyewitness accounts, the boys were allegedly confronted by four other minors — Musa Aliyu, 10; Umaru Abdullahi, 6; Maryam Abdullahi, 10; and Fulaira Jika, 4. During the confrontation, one of them, Musa Aliyu, allegedly struck both Abubakar and Hassan with a stick, causing serious injuries.
The victims were immediately rushed to the General Hospital in Kagara. Abubakar was pronounced dead on arrival, while Hassan remains hospitalised and is receiving treatment for his injuries.
Confirming the incident, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, described the case as a suspected culpable homicide. He said the minors involved were brought to the police station on August 14 in the company of their parents and are currently being questioned in the presence of guardians.
“On August 11, at about 5:30 p.m., the victims were returning from grazing when they were blocked and engaged in a fight by the suspects. In the course of the altercation, one of them used a stick to hit both victims, leading to the unfortunate death of Abubakar,” SP Abiodun said in a statement.
The police spokesperson added that the matter will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna for further investigation. The deceased’s body has been deposited at the hospital mortuary for an autopsy.
The incident has thrown the Karaku community into mourning, with residents calling for better parental supervision and peaceful conflict resolution among children.
