Gunmen suspected to be bandit terrorists have reportedly killed a prominent businessman, Alhaji Sani Sabo, in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

It was gathered that the incident happened after the gunmen stormed the area around 9:20 p.m. on Sunday, shooting the businessman dead before attempting to escape.

Sources told SaharaReporters that residents quickly mobilised to confront the attackers, killing one of them while the rest managed to flee the scene.

Alhaji Sani was described as a well-known philanthropist who regularly supported the less privileged in his community.

A source said: “Yesterday in Lafia, at about 9:20 p.m., gunmen arrived and shot the biggest businessman in Lafia. He was like a brother to me.

“The people in the area, angered by the killing, fought back and killed one of the gunmen. This man’s death has touched many people in Nasarawa State. He helped a lot, especially the poor. As we speak, his house is filled with mourners. He will be buried this afternoon at 2:00 p.m.”

The state government and security operatives have yet to issue an official statement on the incident as at the time of filing this report.