Tension gripped parts of Rivers State after a wheelbarrow pusher allegedly stabbed a Benue-born trader to death during a heated argument at a busy fruit market in the Oil Mill area of Rumuokwurusi, Port Harcourt.
According to reports, the incident occurred on the morning of February 14, 2026, when the trader, identified as Higightor Wenem, asked the wheelbarrow pusher to move his wheelbarrow to create space for his goods. The request reportedly led to a disagreement that quickly escalated into a violent confrontation.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the suspect refused to shift the wheelbarrow, and the argument intensified, drawing the attention of other traders and bystanders in the market. In the course of the altercation, the wheelbarrow pusher allegedly produced a dagger and stabbed the trader.
The victim, a 30-year-old indigene of Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State, was immediately rushed to a nearby military hospital but was confirmed dead by medical personnel.
The killing reportedly triggered panic and tension within the market, with clashes erupting between members of the Benue and Hausa communities following the news of the trader’s death. However, swift intervention by police operatives helped restore calm and prevent further breakdown of law and order.
The Rivers State Police Command confirmed the incident and disclosed that the suspect has been arrested and is currently in custody while investigations continue. Authorities also assured residents that the situation is under control and that security monitoring in the area has been intensified to maintain peace.
The tragic incident has since raised fresh concerns over rising tensions in crowded commercial areas and the dangers of disputes escalating into deadly violence.
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