By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
Akwa Ibom based Non- Governmental, Non-Military, Non- Partisan Organization, Ibom Veterans Peace League has condemned in strong terms and called for thorough investigation into the brutal murder of a Retired General in the Nigerian Army, Uwem Udoekwere
Udoekwere until his death was the National Chairman of Retired Members of Nigerian Armed Forces ( REMENAF) and was reportedly murdered last month at his home in an estate in Lokogoma area of Abuja by assailants numbering about six.
Chairman of IVPL Brigadier General Anthony Etukudo, OON, speaking through his Deputy, Maj. Gen. Paul Isang ( Rtd) on Open Forum, an online podcast by an advocacy and human rights Non- Governmental Organization yesterday in Uyo escribed the incident as shocking and appalling.
“Brig Gen Udoekwere was one of us in Ibom Veterans Peace League. He was once our teacher…who served this nation in different capabilities. For us to hear this sad news that a senior officer who has defended this country to be killed by armed robbers is so painful and we are not happy about. IVPL has decided to condemn this act in totality and pray against a re- occurrence.”
Also speaking on the incident, Treasurer of IVPL, Major Hogan Ene (Rtd) regretted the lack of adequate security for the retired general which must have enabled the robbers to commit the dastardly act.
“What has happened to the late senior officer has shown how vulnerable we all can be specifically and generally. There’s a need to improve across the board, security to personnel in or out of service as well as for communities. This is a clarion call and a water-shed form us to offer solution to improve security situation.”
Brig Gen Etido Ekpo (Rtd), Public Relations Officer of IVPL said the group has earlier issued a press statement condemning the murder as well as called on the police to nab and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Ekpo eulogized the police for arresting some of the suspects saying that, “I actually watched the video clip of the confessions of some of the masterminds and I am impressed with the speed the Police arrested four of them out of six.
“This is very commendable, I am believing they are working tirelessly to track down the other two. Our checks has confirmed that the prime suspect, one Hashiru Marazu Baku has been arrested, and the General’s service pistol was also recovered.”
According to police report, the dare-devil robbers were said to have made away with two pistols, laptops, phones and other valuables from their victim.
The Police report said four suspects to the murder were arrested on 23/06/2024 at Kabusa and Pigbakasa Apo in FCT, by operatives led by CSP Victor Godfrey and include Ibrahim Rabiu from Dala LGA of Kano State, Nafiu Jamil from Tofa LGA Kano State, Aliyu Abdullahi from Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State and Mohammed Nuhu from Kumbotso LGA of Kano state.
The report also said the suspects have all confessed to the heinous crimes of murder and armed robbery of the late General. adding that they murdered the 70 year old to prevent him from harming them with his pistols he brought out to defend himself but couldn’t effectively use it.
They also confessed to have stolen Laptops, phones among other valuables from the deceased home even as the knife with which they stabbed him to death was recovered.
