Lagos horror: Police begin manhunt, as gateman allegedly murders 65-year-old transport manager By Dally Iyamu 

Lagos horror: Police begin manhunt, as gateman allegedly murders 65-year-old transport manager

By Dally Iyamu 

Grief and disbelief have gripped the Ajah community of Lagos State following the alleged murder of Chief Augustine Nwalieze, reportedly killed by his gateman in circumstances still shrouded in mystery.

The victim, who worked as a manager with Okeyson Transport, was said to have been attacked at his residence in Ajah on Sunday morning shortly after getting ready for church.

A family member who spoke to Vanguard anonymously said the development has plunged the family into deep grief.

“I have been very heartbroken since yesterday. Something very bad happened to my father-in-law yesterday,” the source lamented.

Narrating what happened, the relative explained that the deceased had gone downstairs to the parking area of his home, where vehicle spare parts and a solar panel were kept.

“My father-in-law’s gateman killed him yesterday. He had already prepared for church when it happened.

He went downstairs to the car park near the store where spare parts from his cars and a solar panel were kept,” he said.

Concern reportedly grew when the family noticed that none of his vehicles had moved and repeated calls to his phone went unanswered.

“No one could explain what happened. They did not hear any vehicle leave or the gate open.

His three cars were still parked, which made them worried. They called his phone, but he did not respond,” the source added.

Suspicion later centred on the gateman after he allegedly gave conflicting information about the victim’s whereabouts.

“They approached the gateman and he mentioned one of his friends, claiming he had gone out with him.

But when the wife contacted that friend, he said he had not seen him that day,” the source explained.

The gateman reportedly fled soon after making the statement, deepening suspicion.

“When they returned to question him again, he had disappeared.

That was when they began a thorough search of the compound,” he said.

During the search, the family made a shocking discovery.

“They found his body in one of the downstairs flats.

It was a terrible sight,” the source revealed.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.

It was gathered that the deceased lived in the house with his wife, daughter, two maids and another woman, all of whom were upstairs when the incident occurred.

His other children live independently.

The family is said to be preparing to take his remains to his hometown for burial.

The incident has been reported to the police, who have commenced investigations and are searching for the gateman, now said to be on the run.

As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command had not released an official statement on the matter.