A 45-year-old man, simply identified as Mallam Masa’udu, has been stabbed to death during an altercation over the use of a public washing line in Katsina State.

According to reports, the incident occurred on Thursday evening at the Ministerial Quarters, located near the Fatima Shema Estate in the state’s metropolitan area.

Masa’udu, who was in the laundry business, was stabbed by one Aminu, 35, who is also in the same line of business, with both men’s shops located beside each other.

Trouble began when Masa’udu attempted to hang some clothes on the washing line, but Aminu refused to allow him, ostensibly because he was also hoping to dry some clothes from his laundry too.

During the altercation, Aminu was said to have thrown some clothes Masa’udu had already hung on the washing line to the ground, and angrily trampled upon them.

Accordingly to one Mallam Hassan, who originally set up the wash line, Masa’udu “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.”

During the heated argument, the late Masa’udu was said to have quickly left and entered another neighbour’s shop to ask him to persuade Aminu to allow him to use the washing line.

But Aminu, enraged by Masa’udu’s action, went and armed himself with a knife, stormed into the shop and stabbed Masa’udu severally.

Eyewitness accounts say Masa’udu initially tried to flee from Aminu after a few stabs, but Aminu followed after him and repeatedly stabbed him. According to a source, Masa’udu was stabbed at least seven times.

When alerted to the situation, security operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) rushed to the crime scene and rushed the victim to the K-Dara private hospital.

But doctors on duty pronounced Masa’udu dead on arrival, and his body was transferred to the Katsina General Hospital.

Aminu was immediately arrested and is currently in custody as investigations continue.

According to reports, both Masa’udu and Aminu have had a history of altercations, and last year, Aminu dragged Masa’udu to court, accusing him of defamation and homosexuality. However, the case was dismissed due to a lack of evidence.

Masa’udu, a native of Kaita Local Government Area, was said to be a long-standing resident of the Ministerial Quarters who had managed rented shops in the area, was in charge of electricity payments and general affairs of the community.

Ironically, the deceased was the very person who allocated the shop which Aminu rented before the incident.

Masa’udu was said to have left behind a wife and six children. He has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

A security personnel who asked not to be named, confirmed the incident, adding that Aminu is currently being held by the Katsina State Police Command pending further investigation.