According to reports, a lawyer identified as Benedict Azza has been shot dead on Thursday by alleged gunmen kidnappers. Azza was shot by the gunmen on motorcycle in Zamfara state, despite the ban placed on motorcycle. He was shot around 8pm while returning to his residence.
The lawyer was a principal partner at BT Azza &Co Chambers based on Gusau. The incident was confirmed via a statement issued by Zamfara State NBA chairman, Junaidu Abubakar on Friday.
The statement read, “This is to confirm to you that our colleague and friend, Benedict Torngee Azza Esq is dead. Azza died on Thursday, August 18, 2022 at about 2200 – 2230hrs. While I was in my house, I received three different phone calls from our colleagues informing me that B. T. Azza was shot dead by unknown gunmen and his body was lying on the roadside along a bye-pass near FRSC office, Gusau.”
He further stated that he rushed to the scene after receiving a call where he met two colleagues; Abdullahi Ibrahim and Ibrahim Gusau including cops and soldiers.
Abubakar stated, “I saw Azza’s body in cold blood on the shoulders of the road. I also saw his vehicle (Lexus Jeep) by the road side.
“While we were there, Federal Road Safety Corps officials came to the scene with a body bag in which the corpse was deposited and taken by the police to Yariman Bakura Specialists Hospital, Gusau, where the corpse was deposited in the mortuary.
“According to the information, BT Azza was shot dead by two gunmen suspected to be kidnappers who came on a motorcycle. Information has it that the gunmen wanted to kidnap him at his house situated at Saminaka area, behind the FRSC headquarters, bypass Gusau. But he was able to escape, drove his vehicle, and ran to the roadside. The gunmen pursued him and shot him dead.’’
A resident said, “The lawyer opened his vehicle’s door, came out, and walked to the road where he sat down. He bled and died instantly. The gunshots were three times, indicating that he was probably shot thrice. The assailants fled when they saw people coming to the incident scene.’’
The state police command spokesperson, Mohammed Shehu, affirmed the incident.
