A 65-year-old transport manager, Chief Augustine Nwalieze, has been killed in his residence in the Ajah area of Lagos, in what authorities are investigating as a suspected homicide allegedly involving a domestic employee.
The tragic incident is believed to have occurred on Sunday morning as the victim was preparing to attend church. Family members said Nwalieze had gone downstairs to the car park area within his compound, where a storage section containing vehicle spare parts and a solar panel was situated.
Alarm was raised when his vehicles remained parked for an unusually long period and no movement was observed at the gate. Repeated attempts to reach him on his mobile phone reportedly went unanswered, prompting concern among relatives and neighbours.
Suspicion intensified after the household’s gateman, now identified as the prime suspect, allegedly offered conflicting explanations regarding the victim’s whereabouts.
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According to family sources, he initially claimed that Nwalieze had gone out with a friend. However, the said friend reportedly denied any such arrangement. The gateman subsequently fled the premises, further heightening suspicion.
A search of the property led to the discovery of Nwalieze in a downstairs apartment with severe machete injuries. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
The family, devastated by the killing, has since conveyed his remains to his hometown for burial arrangements in line with traditional rites.
The case has been formally reported to the police, and officers visited the scene as part of an ongoing investigation. As of press time, the Lagos State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement, and no motive has been confirmed.
The suspect remains at large, and authorities have urged members of the public with useful information to assist in tracking him down.
The incident has once again drawn attention to concerns about security within private residences, particularly regarding the vetting and monitoring of domestic staff.
While similar cases in Nigeria have previously been linked to robbery or internal disputes, investigators maintain that it is too early to determine the circumstances surrounding this killing.
Chief Nwalieze’s death has sent shockwaves through his community, with residents calling for swift justice and a thorough probe into the events that led to the fatal attack.