LAGOS. June 5: Gunmen shot and killed tlie wife of imprisoned opposition leader Moshood K. Abiola near her home on Tuesday, reports AP

Kudirat Abiola. 44. an out spoken critic of the military government, was in her car when she was shot at close range by six gunmen. Her doctor. Ore Saloinok. said she died about two hours later in the operating room at Eko hospital.

Safomok said Mrs Abiola s driver also was shot and died of his wounds

The United States and Britain called for a swift and thorough hunt for the killers.

Opposition politicians, expressing shock at the killings, suggested government invol vement.

"They want to dominate us. but with the help of God the will of the people will prevail, said Michael AJasin. 94-year old leader of the opposition National Democratic Coalition.

"Her death is ominous." said Dr. Wahab Sosunmu. a former civilian, minister and a leader of the opposition.

Mrs Abiola openly critisted the government of Gen Sani Abacna Her husband, a mil llonaire businessman who w.t* ‘widely believed to have won Nigeria's nullified 1993 presi denlial election, was Jailed on a charge of treason in 1994 after he proclaimed himself president.

Witnesses said the gunmen opened fire on Mrs. Abiola's white Mercedes Bens Tuesday morning as she was returning from a visit to Ijefru Ode. in Ogun state, an hour’s drive from Lagos.

Witnesses said the car swerved off the road, and the gunmen moved in to fire at close range

The car's winshield and back window were shot out. the witnesses said Police were searching for gray Peugeot 505 which fled the scene.

In Washington. State-De-Bartment spokesman Glyn avies called on the Nigerian government "to thoroughly investigate the crime, diligently pursue these killers, and to ensure they’re identified and duly prosecuted.