The bandits also abducted some persons on their way out of the town.
Bandits have killed the eldest son of the Emir of Kontagora, Bashir Namaska, on his father’s farm.
The prince was killed alongside others working on the farm at Masuga village along the Kontagora-Rijau Road in Niger State.
The traditional ruler’s son was the Sardauna of Kontagora and had been standing in for his father, the Sarkin Sudan, who was reported to have been sick for some months.
He was shot by the bandits on Thursday and rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead on arrival, Channels TV reports.
It was learnt that the bandits also abducted some persons on their way out of the town.
Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State described the death of the prince as heart-breaking and condoled with the emir and the people of Kontagora Emirate over the loss.
He said, “It is really disheartening to hear about the death of Bashir, especially at a time when intense military operations are ongoing in some parts of the state to rid the state of criminal elements.
“As painful as the death is, the situation will only spur my administration to ensure that the fight against banditry in the state is won.
“My deepest condolences go to the Emir and the people of Kontagora Emirate as this is indeed a great loss, but we should all be consoled by the fact that it is a necessary end for all mortals.”
The late was the Director-General of the Niger State Public Procurement Board between 2013 and 2015.
The prince was born in 1979 and was the District Head of Kontagora I and Sardaunan Kontagora until the time of his death.