Tragedy struck Fear and anger gripped Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, on Sunday night after suspected bandits killed prominent businessman, Alhaji Sani, during a violent attack on his residence.
The incident, which sent shockwaves across the community, ended dramatically when enraged residents captured and lynched one of the attackers while others escaped.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen stormed the victim’s home around 9:00 p.m., shooting sporadically before targeting Alhaji Sani, a respected trader known for his philanthropy and contributions to the local economy.
“They came in numbers, shooting everywhere. We heard Alhaji had been shot, and people immediately mobilised to chase them,” a resident recounted.
The mob managed to overpower one of the suspects, beating him to death on the spot, while his accomplices fled into nearby bushes. The swift reprisal reflects the growing frustration of residents who say they are left vulnerable by worsening insecurity.
Community leaders described the attack as “a devastating loss” and urged security agencies to intensify patrols in Lafia and surrounding areas.
“We cannot continue to live in fear. Alhaji Sani was more than a businessman; he was a pillar in this community,” one elder lamented.
As of press time, the Nasarawa State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the killing, though operatives were said to have visited the scene for preliminary investigations.
The gruesome incident has once again highlighted the insecurity plaguing Nasarawa and other parts of the North-Central, where armed gangs continue to target communities, businesses, and prominent individuals .
