ABUJA, Nigeria — A seemingly inconsequential neighbourhood dispute between two young males took a tragic turn in the Federal Capital Territory on Friday, May 12, 2023, when an 18-year-old man died after a heated exchange of words escalated into a physical altercation.
The incident, which occurred in the residential compound of Gadabiu in the Kwali Area Council around 6 pm, involved Biliya Lawal, 18, and his 14-year-old neighbour known only as Danladi.
The exact cause of their disagreement remains unclear, but it ended with Lawal receiving a fatal punch to the stomach.
The shocking news has since reverberated through the community, turning a local squabble into the talk of the town.
“I don’t know what in particular led to the exchange of words but it must have been a serious issue,” said Aliyu, a commercial driver in the area who has found himself as an eyewitness to the tragic event.
“The verbal exchange of words became heated and later resulted in a physical fight. In the process, Danladi’s punch hit Lawal in his stomach.”
According to Aliyu, Lawal immediately fell to the ground, unconscious.
Bystanders rushed him to the Kwali General Hospital, but medical staff were unable to save him. “The doctor who attended to them pronounced him dead,” Aliyu added.
As the shockwaves from the incident continue to ripple across the community, law enforcement has moved swiftly in response to the tragedy.
Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory command, confirmed that Danladi has been arrested.
“The suspect is in custody. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation,” said Adeh.
As the investigation unfolds, the community is left grappling with the sudden and tragic loss of a young life, sparking a conversation on youth violence and the importance of conflict resolution.
