Drug-induced Youth Violence Claims 2 Lives In Damaturu

By Jibril Mohammed Nabil, Damaturu

Rising cases of youth violence linked to substance abuse have resulted in the deaths of two persons in separate incidents in Damaturu, Yobe State.

The first incident occurred on April 7, 2026, at about 6:30 a.m. at Bindigari Primary School. A 33-year-old man, Adamu Suleiman Saidu, was allegedly attacked by 24-year-old Musa Mohammed, popularly known as “Aljan.”

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Yobe State Police Command, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, attributed the attack to a misunderstanding believed to be connected to substance abuse. He noted that the situation highlights the growing threat of drug-induced violence among youths in the state.

According to police report, the suspect attacked the victim with an axe, inflicting severe head injuries. The suspect also sustained minor injuries during the altercation. Police operatives swiftly responded to the scene, arrested the suspect, and recovered the weapon, which has been documented as evidence.

The victim was rushed to the General Hospital in Damaturu for urgent medical attention but later died while receiving treatment.

In a separate incident just 48 hours earlier, another life was lost following a dispute over a borrowed T-shirt.

On April 5, 2026, at about 1:00 p.m., officers from the C Division in Damaturu responded to a distress call involving two young men engaged in a physical fight. The altercation reportedly began over a borrowed T-shirt and escalated into a violent confrontation, during which one of the individuals collapsed and lost consciousness.

The victim was immediately taken to the Specialist Hospital in Damaturu, where medical personnel confirmed him dead.

The suspect, identified as Abdullahi Musa, has been arrested, and investigations are ongoing.

Reacting to the incidents, SP Abdulkarim called on parents, community leaders, and civil society organizations to collaborate with security agencies in tackling the growing menace of drug and substance abuse among youths. He warned that such behavior is increasingly contributing to violent crimes and avoidable deaths.

The police command reaffirmed its commitment to combating crime across Yobe State, noting that recent reductions in crime rates reflect ongoing cooperation between law enforcement and the public. Residents were urged to remain law-abiding, resolve disputes peacefully, and promptly report any suspicious activities to the authorities.