A 46-year-old driver, Adamu Saidu, is currently fighting for his life after he was allegedly shot by a 26-year-old hunter, Shuaibu Adamu, at the Suleja Junction area of Niger State.
The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Monday, noting that it occurred earlier in the day. While the motive behind the attack was not disclosed, Abiodun said the suspect was apprehended following a distress call from the scene.
According to the PPRO, the suspect, a member of a local hunters’ association, reportedly used a locally made revolver to shoot the victim.
He explained that police officers immediately arrived at the location, rescued the victim, and took him to a hospital before arresting the suspect.
Abiodun stated, “On October 13, 2025, at about 8.30 a.m., a distress call was received at Maje Division that one Shuaibu Adamu, 26, of Kaduna Road and a member of a hunters group, shot one Adamu Saidu, 46, at Suleja Junction with a locally made revolver gun.
“The police operatives of the Division rushed to the scene and discovered that the said Adamu Saidu, a driver, was shot in the back.
“He was immediately rushed to General Hospital Suleja for treatment, while Shuaibu was arrested with the gun. The suspect is under investigation.”
The PPRO added that in a separate operation, police officers conducting a patrol along Luma-Wawa Road arrested another suspect, Yahaya Dashu, with a locally made pistol on October 9.
“During interrogation, he stated that the pistol belonged to him and it was for his personal protection. He claimed that he bought it from a blacksmith in Babana, Borgu LGA.
“However, the suspect has been transferred to SCID Minna for further investigation and prosecution,” Abiodun concluded.
The incident has renewed concerns over the misuse of firearms by hunters, with growing calls for stricter regulation and proper training of such groups.
Earlier reports revealed similar cases, including one in Ogun State in 2024, where a hunter was alleged to have fatally shot a fellow hunter during an expedition.
Such recurring incidents underscore the dangers associated with the unchecked possession and handling of firearms among non-state security actors.