A tragic incident unfolded in Katsina State where a 45-year-old man, identified as Mallam Masa’udu, was fatally stabbed during a heated altercation over the use of a public washing line. The incident occurred on Thursday evening at the Ministerial Quarters, near the Fatima Shema Estate in the state’s metropolitan area. Masa’udu, who operated a laundry business, was attacked by Aminu, a 35-year-old man in the same profession, whose shop was located adjacent to Masa'udu's.

The dispute began when Masa’udu attempted to hang clothes on a communal washing line, but Aminu reportedly refused to allow him, stating his intention to use it himself. The argument escalated when Aminu allegedly threw clothes Masa’udu had already hung to the ground and proceeded to trample on them. According to Mallam Hassan, who had originally set up the wash line, Masa’udu had "pleaded to hang his clothes for a short while on the wash line, but Aminu refused, threw the clothes on the ground and stomped on them."

Amidst the escalating argument, Masa’udu reportedly left to seek the intervention of a neighbor, asking them to persuade Aminu. Enraged by this action, Aminu armed himself with a knife, stormed into the neighbor’s shop, and repeatedly stabbed Masa’udu. Eyewitnesses reported that Masa’udu attempted to flee after the initial stabs, but Aminu pursued him, continuing the assault. Sources indicate Masa’udu was stabbed at least seven times.

Upon being alerted, security operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) swiftly arrived at the scene. They rushed Masa’udu to the K-Dara private hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival. His body was subsequently transferred to the Katsina General Hospital. Aminu was immediately apprehended at the scene and is currently in police custody as investigations proceed.

Reports suggest that Masa’udu and Aminu had a history of disputes. The previous year, Aminu had even taken Masa’udu to court, accusing him of defamation and homosexuality, though the case was ultimately dismissed due to lack of evidence. Masa’udu, a native of Kaita Local Government Area and a long-standing resident of the Ministerial Quarters, was known for managing rented shops in the area and overseeing community affairs, including electricity payments. Ironically, Masa’udu was the person who had allocated the shop Aminu rented before this fatal incident. Masa’udu is survived by his wife and six children and has since been buried according to Islamic rites. A security official, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that Aminu is currently being held by the Katsina State Police Command pending further investigation.