In Ebonyi: French tourist shot dead, wife injured by unknown attackers

A French tourist has lost his life in Ebonyi State, Nigeria after he was attacked and shot dead by unknown attackers.

The unidentified victim was travelling with his wife, who was also left injured in what is suspected to be a robbery gone wrong.

The couple had camped at the town of Abaomege from where they intended to proceed to Calabar.

“The incident happened two days ago in Ebonyi state. The couple were French tourists and they were camped in the bush when they were attacked,” police spokesperson, Emmanuel Ojukwu told AFP.

“The man was killed while his wife was injured and some valuables, including cash, were taken away from them. We suspect a robbery attack,” he added.

“It was a retired couple who were heading from Paris to South Africa by car via the African coast and they had to cross Nigeria,” spokesperson for the French Embassy in Abuja, Georges Vanin, said confirming the incident.

"They decided to stop on the way to Calabar. They were clearly spotted when they were putting up their tent,” he added.

Vanin also described the crime as “purely financially motivated” while adding that the deceased and his wife were familiar with Africa.

The couple involved has not been identified.