Unknown gunmen have killed an Islamic Scholar, Sheik. Muhamman Albani, his wife and son, in the late hours of Saturday in Zaria city of Kaduna State, in Nigeria’s north-west region.

Eyewitnesses said that the deceased and his family were returning home after attending evening prayers in the city at about 9:30pm when the gunmen pulled up, blocked their vehicle and shot at them. The wife and child died on the spot, while Sheik Albani died at Saint Luke Hospital, Zaria, where he was rushed for treatment.

Sheik Albani was, until his death, the leader of the Islamic Salafiyya Movement and also operated a private school for children. He was briefly arrested in 2011 by the Police for his radical preaching but was later released by a court.

The incident occurred less than 48 hours after some gunmen killed a family of seven in Manchok, in Kaura Local Government of the state.

When contacted by Channels Television, the state Police Commissioner, Mr Olufemi Adenaike, said that he would comment on the incident later in the day.

The deceased have been buried in Zaria city according to Islamic injunctions.