The World - News from Jan. 26, 1988

Armed robbers shot and killed the Libyan charge d’affaires in Lagos, Nigeria, and made off with his new car, police said. A police statement said Abubakar Kanna “was accosted by armed robbers who were attracted by the newness of the car.” The vehicle carried diplomatic plates. There were no immediate reports of arrests. Armed robbers are a frightening scourge in the Nigerian capital of 4 million people, and they are reported frequently to kill drivers who delay too long in surrendering the keys. Lagos police did not explain why they quickly ruled out a political motive, since Libyan diplomats often have been the target of attacks abroad.