Tragedy struck the Ajah area of Lagos following the killing of a 67-year-old man, identified as Chief Augustine Nwalieze, in his residence under circumstances yet to be fully determined.
The victim, said to be a manager with Okeyson Transport, was reportedly attacked on Saturday morning shortly after preparing to leave his home.
A family source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident has left relatives in shock and grief.
According to the source, suspicion has centred on the deceased’s gateman, Abdullahi Dairu, who allegedly provided inconsistent accounts of the victim’s whereabouts before fleeing the premises.
He explained that the deceased had gone downstairs to the car park area of the residence, where spare parts and a solar panel were kept, shortly before he was attacked.
Concern arose when family members noticed that none of his vehicles had been moved and repeated calls to his phone went unanswered.
“His cars were still parked, and no one heard any movement at the gate. When they tried to reach him and got no response, they became worried,” the source said.
The gateman reportedly claimed the deceased had gone out with a friend, but the claim was later contradicted after the said friend denied seeing him.
The source added that the suspect fled shortly after being questioned, prompting a search of the compound, where the victim’s lifeless body was eventually discovered in one of the flats.
“He had multiple machete cuts on his head, hands and body. It was a horrifying sight,” the source said.
The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival.
It was gathered that the deceased lived with members of his family, who were upstairs at the time of the incident.
The case has been reported to the police, who have launched an investigation.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
“The command has commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death, while efforts are being intensified to arrest the security guard linked to the incident,” she said.
