By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Niger
Residents and traders at the Kure Ultra Modern Market in Minna, Niger State, woke up to a shocking scene on Friday as the lifeless body of a 75-year-old beggar, Haruna Abdullahi, was discovered at the entrance of the market.
Abdullahi, said to be a native of Gumel in Jigawa State, was a familiar face at the market where he often sought alms. His sudden death has stirred quiet concern among traders and marketgoers, though no foul play is suspected at this time.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the elderly man’s body was discovered in the early hours of the day.
“Today, 18/4/2025, in the early hours, a corpse which was later identified as one Haruna Abdullahi, about 75 years old, was found at the gate of Kure market. He was said to be a beggar, Hausa by tribe, from Gumel, Jigawa State,” SP Abiodun said.
He added that there were no signs of violence or injuries on the deceased, and that the body was taken to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead.
Although no official cause of death has been determined, many traders suspect the elderly man may have passed due to age-related complications or an underlying illness. There is no indication yet of any family members coming forward.
“He’s always been around here, quiet and old. We just came this morning and found out he had died,” a trader near the gate told Daily Trust.
Authorities say the case remains under observation, pending further inquiries.