Unknown gunmen on a motorcycle have shot dead a prominent lawmaker in Nigeria’s northern state of Kano in the latest of such attacks in a region hit hard by Boko Haram militants’ violence.

“I can confirm that Danladi Isa Kademi, a lawmaker at the Kano state house of assembly was shot dead by two gunmen around 6:00 pm (1700 GMT) today,” Kano state police spokesman Magaji Majia said on Friday.

He added, “The gunmen came on a motorcycle and fired several shots into the lawmaker. Kademi was shot outside a guesthouse he owned.”

Last month, another state politician was killed in a similar incident in the Ungwa Uku district of Kano.

The incident came weeks after a senior retired general, Mohammed Shuwa, was shot dead at his home in the northeastern city of Maiduguri.

The Boko Haram militants are blamed for widespread atrocities across Nigeria, including murder, burning down churches and schools, and attacks against the media.

Criminals not linked to Boko Haram are also believed to have carried out attacks under the militant group’s name.