An official of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemicals Company (KRPC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), came face-to-face with death when three gunmen launched an attack on him in front of his residence in Kaduna, North-West Nigeria.

Mu’azu Abdullahi escaped death by the whiskers during the attack, which took place around 9:35pm yesterday along Soba Road, Kinkinau GRA, opposite Ungwan Muazu, Kaduna.

According to eye witness who pleaded not to be named, the gunmen came on a motor cycle and took position in front of the victim’s house.

“I was passing by when I heard one of the gunmen asking his cohort if he had cocked his gun ‘because the man will soon come and we shall deal with them today’.  I didn’t take them serious then because I was thinking it was a joke.

“Then all of a sudden they started shooting sporadically immediately the owner of the house arrived the front of his gate. We all panicked and scampered for safety.”

Narrating his ordeal to News Express, Abdullahi said: “I was accosted by three gunmen; two of them took position pointing their guns in the opposite direction, while the third gunman pointed a gun at me and ordered me to surrender my car keys.

“I abandoned the car and dropped the key in my pocket as I ran into the open gate of my house shouting ‘Laila ha illallahu! Lailahaillallahu!!’ as the gunman continued to shoot at me but missing his target in the process. The other two gunmen continued to shoot outside to scare any resistance.

“I went straight to my wife and we attempted to jump through the fence, afraid that they would come after me.

“I thank God that I am still alive to tell you my experience and I pray that the authorities will take adequate measures to curtail such frequent attacks on us.”

The police were seen at the scene of the incident, having arrived following a distress call. News Express also saw neighbours massed in front of Abdullahi’s house as he recounted his ordeal.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Aminu Lawal, confirmed the incident and disclosed that investigation has already commenced.