Irish worker shot dead in Nigeria

An Irish worker in eastern Nigeria has been shot dead during an attempted armed robbery.

Robert Gray was travelling with a Nigerian driver on Thursday afternoon in the town of Takum in eastern Taraba state near its border with Cameroon when the incident took place.

Officials say gunmen opened fire on the vehicle, killing Mr Gray and wounding the driver.

The 45-year-old engineer worked for an Irish firm called PW Group.

John Coen, a regional manager for PW in Nigeria, confirmed Mr Gray’s death and said on Saturday that efforts were being made to send his body back to Ireland.

A spokesman for Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs said it also was aware of the killing.