There was panic yesterday evening as gunmen suspected to be armed robbers shot a palm oil dealer about 300 metres to an army strike force post and opposite the Fire Service Office in Kaduna, North-West Nigeria. Police sources told our reporter that the incident happened around 5pm.

News Express learnt that the incident which happened a stone throw from the Abubakar Gumi Market along Ibrahim Taiwo Road caused pandemonium with residents, commuters and traders abandoning their business to scamper for safety.

A police source said: “They came in their numbers and shot the palm oil dealer on his foot before carting away unspecified amount of money.

“We gave them a hot pursuit but they disappeared in the crowd and escaped. We learnt that they snatched a car for their get away.

“We alerted the soldiers in the nearby strike force post for help when we first heard the gunshot, but they told us it is not their jurisdiction.”

Eyewitnesses said the victim has been taken to 44 Reference Hospital for treatment.

Police Publice Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Aminu Lawal, said: “Trailing of the suspects is in top gear.”