Gunmen, suspected to be bandits, have shot dead a prominent businessman, Alhaji Sani Sabo, in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.
A source familiar with the incident told newsmen on Monday morning that the assailants stormed the area around 9:20 p.m. on Sunday, killing the businessman before attempting to escape.
Residents quickly mobilised to confront the attackers, reportedly killing one of them while the others managed to flee.
Alhaji Sani Sabo was widely recognised as a philanthropist who regularly supported the less privileged in his community.
“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 source said.
At the time of filing this report, neither the state government nor security agencies had issued an official statement on the incident.