Gunmen attacked a vehicle carrying staff from a local construction company in Kaduna state on Monday, killing a Nigerian and a Lebanese worker, while another Lebanese was kidnapped.
The attack occurred in Kakeyi village, where they were working on a water project.
“We suspect this incident was more about armed robbery than kidnapping,” said Kaduna state police spokesman Aminu Lawal.
“Police have commenced investigation into the incident” he added.
Insecurity is worsening in the northern part of the country as an insurgency by Islamist sect Boko Haram that has killed hundreds in the past two years, stretching the security forces with criminal gangs, taking advantage of the breakdown of law and order.
