The police command in Zamfara on Friday confirmed the killing of a lawyer, Benedict-Torngee Azza, by gunmen.

He was shot dead on Thursday.

The command spokesman, SP Muhammad Shehu, confirmed the killing of the lawyer in Gusau on Friday.

Mr Shehu said detectives were on the trail of the killers as the command beefed up security in the area where the incident occurred.

NBA chairman in Zamfara, Junaidu Abubakar, said Mr Azza was shot after he escaped from his residence at about 10:00 p.m.

He said FRSC and police operatives evacuated his remains to Yariman Bakura Specialists Hospital, Gusau.

According to him, neighbours informed him the deceased was shot by two gunmen suspected to be kidnappers who came on a motorcycle.

“The information has it that the gunmen wanted to kidnap him at his house in Saminaka area, Behind Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Headquarters, Gusau. But he was able to escape, drove his vehicle and run to the roadside,” Mr Abubakar said. “The gunmen pursued him and shot him dead along the bypass.”

The NBA chairman added that his neighbours later heard gunshots.

“When they came out and rushed to the scene, they saw Azza opened his vehicle’s door, came out and walked to the main road where he sat down and was bleeding to death. He was shot three times by the gunmen who, after the shooting, took to their heels when they saw people coming to the scene,” he added.

Mr Azza hailed from Benue and was the principal associate of Benedict Torngee Aza and Associates in Gusau. 

(NAN)