A Chinese businessman was on Wednesday night shot dead in Nigerian economic hug Lagos by gunmen suspected to be armed robbers.

The Chinese, according to witnesses, was ambushed and shot dead around China town business district in Ogudu area of Lagos at about 9:30 p.m. local time.

The man was brought to the Gbagada General Hospital in Bariga and found dead from gun-shot, a doctor at the hospital told Xinhua, adding that two other Chinese ladies in the car were slightly injured.

One of the ladies was shot in the head and the other on her leg, " the doctor said.

Officials of the Chinese Consulate General in Lagos, the country's commercial hub, rushed to the hospital to identify the victims soon after the incident.

The officials urged the local police authority to protect the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions in the state.

In October, the Chinese government lodged representation to Nigeria and asked the authorities to ensure the safety of its nationals.