Join our WhatsApp channel HERE for the latest Benue news and updates!
A 30-year-old fruit trader from Benue State, identified as Hightor Wenemem, was allegedly stabbed to death during a market altercation at Oil Mill Market in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday, February 14, 2026—Valentine’s Day.
According to eyewitness accounts and reports circulating on social media, the incident began as a minor disagreement over space. Wenemem reportedly asked a wheelbarrow pusher, identified as Zakara Afaaruwu, to move his barrow to create room for his goods. What started as a verbal exchange quickly escalated.
Before bystanders could intervene, the wheelbarrow pusher allegedly stabbed Wenemem in the chest with a dagger. The injured trader was rushed to the nearby Military Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival by medical personnel.
News of the fatal stabbing spread rapidly through the market, triggering tension between members of the Hausa and Benue communities. The situation deteriorated into chaos: stalls were overturned, goods and produce destroyed, and the entire market descended into disorder as clashes erupted.
Rivers State Police operatives quickly intervened to restore calm and prevent further violence. Order was eventually restored, though the market sustained significant damage to property and merchandise.
The incident has left many traders and residents shaken, with social media users describing how a seemingly trivial misunderstanding spiralled into tragedy and communal unrest on what is traditionally a day of love and celebration.
Police authorities have not yet released an official statement confirming arrests or the current status of the investigation. The death of the Benue trader has once again highlighted the risks of escalating petty disputes in crowded markets and the potential for communal friction in multi-ethnic commercial hubs.
Market leaders and community stakeholders are calling for calm while urging thorough police investigation to ensure justice and prevent reprisals. Further updates are awaited from the Rivers State Police Command.
