By Abubakar Yakubu
For Bello Aliyu, 32, from Sokoto State, unselfishness appeared to be his watchword in his shop where he sold provisions at Angwan Adamu in Ado, Nasarawa State. But that virtue seems to have cost him his young life.
Buka Dan Umaru, his former boss, whom he served as an apprentice before the man rewarded him with his own shop filled with provisions, said Aliyu, due to his honesty, reduced the prices of his goods to a moderate level and was patronised by a lot of customers.
“At times when you do not have money and appear credit-worthy, Aliyu would attend to you by either granting you a soft loan or allowing you to leave with some items,” Umaru said.
He said throughout the time Aliyu spent with him as an apprentice, the young man was very peaceful and exhibited a very honest character that made him reward him with his own shop three years ago.
Umaru said he watched as Aliyu’s shop began to attract customers due to his business strategy of moderating his prices, adding that through the shop, Aliyu built his own house and was planning to get married this year.
“On several occasions, Aliyu informed me that the owner of the shop next to his own had approached him to raise the prices of his goods so that they could tally with her own, but due to his strong religious belief, he refused to increase the prices,’ Umaru narrated.
He said the female trader then resorted to abusive words but Aliyu ignored her and continued with his business until sometime between 6:30pm and 7:00pm last Sunday, August 18, when she and her son allegedly began to attack Aliyu.
“While the woman gripped Aliyu and was throwing punches at him, her son Solomon rushed for a strong wood and used it to hit Aliyu’s chest, which made him vomit blood until he collapsed,” Umaru alleged.
Umaru said he rushed Aliyu to EHL Hospital along New Karu road where doctors and nurses battled to save his life. But sadly, in Umaru’s words, Aliyu died 15 minutes later.
According to him, he left the corpse in the hospital and rushed to report the matter at the New Nyanya Police Division, before going to Angwan Adamu with some vigilante members and a policeman to arrest the woman and her son.
He said the next day (Monday), the family went to the police station to request that the corpse be handed over to them for burial and the police did the needful before granting them their wish. He further informed that Aliyu was buried at 3pm that day after a funeral prayer was organised for him at Ado.
Umaru wondered why such an incident could befall a peaceful and honest person like Aliyu and he vowed that he would pursue the case until justice is done.
“Nobody has ever reported him to me that he offended them and I want the police to do the right thing in this case. I will monitor it closely and ensure that justice is done in order to serve as a lesson to others with such character like that of the woman and her son, so that they would think twice before indulging in such acts,” he vowed.
A friend of the deceased, Babaginda Usman, said provisions in Aliyu’s shop were always cheaper than what obtained in the area and residents of the community preferred to buy things from his shop.
“They were selling their provisions at very exorbitant prices and Aliyu made his own lower. And I am wondering what concerned the woman that could have warranted the attack, as everyone has the right to do what is right,” the friend said.
Some residents of the community said Aliyu exhibited exceptional qualities and was a blessing to the area as they were buying provisions at moderate prices.
Musa Gambo, a resident, said whenever other shop owners increased the prices of their goods arbitrarily, residents in the community would rush to Aliyu’s shop to buy items at the pre-existing prices.
Another resident, Emmanuel Obi, said whenever he was broke or hadn’t been paid his salary, he would go to Aliyu to explain his predicament and the man would allow him to collect any item he wanted on credit.
“I do not believe there is any other provision seller in this area that can grant you credit,” he said.
Felix, another resident who was seen consoling Aliyu’s brother, said most residents in the area would miss him.
“Is it now a crime to make the prices of your goods low to help the majority of the masses,” the resident wondered.
He called on the police to do a thorough job to serve as a deterrent to other jealous shop owners who might want to take the law into their own hands.
At the New Nyanya Police Station, a police officer who pleaded anonymity said an investigative police officer, Inspector Ishaku has been assigned to the case, adding that investigation has commenced since Monday. The officer said since the case is that of culpable homicide, the suspects (the woman with her son) would be transferred to the state’s criminal investigation department for diligent investigation.
When contacted, Nasarawa State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent Ramhan Nansel, said he was yet to be briefed about the case, but assured that he would find out the details before reverting to the reporter.