The Ibom Veterans Peace League, an Akwa Ibom State-based non-governmental organisation made up of retired military personnel of Akwa Ibom State origin, has condemned in strong terms the brutal murder of Akwa Ibom-born retired Brigadier General, Uwem Harold Udoekwere.
The slain officer, a native of Etinan Local Government Area, was, until his death, the National Chairman of Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces (REMENAF).
Gen. Udoekwere was reportedly murdered on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at his home in an estate in the Lokogoma area of Abuja when six armed robbers invaded his home at about 3:00 a.m., forcefully gained access to the premises, and stabbed the 70-year-old retired military officer.
According to the police report, the dare-devil robbers made away with two pistols, laptops, phones and other valuables.
The police report titled “Arrest of Notorious Murderers/Armed Robbers and Recovery of Exhibits,” published by Premium Times, detailed the arrests of the suspects on June 23, 2024.
“Full report on the arrests on June 23, 2024, at Kabusa and Pigbakasa Apo in FCT, Abuja Utako Division: Operatives led by CSP Victor O. Godfrey arrested four suspects who robbed and murdered a retired Brigadier General, Uwen Harold (Retd) N/5575 15th Regular Course, at house no. 9 Sanga Street, Sunshine Homes by Kabusa Junction, Lokogoma FCT, Abuja.
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They are: (1) Ibrahim Rabiu, ‘m’, 33 years old, from Dala LGA Kano State, but resident at Rasha Apo Roundabout; (2) Nafiu Jamil, “m”, 33 years old, from Tofa LGA Kano, but resident at Apo Pantekar; and (3) Aliyu Abdullahi, ‘m”, 47 years old, from Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State, but resident at Apo Roundabout Abuja. (4) Mohammed Nuhu, ‘m’, 28 years old, from Kumbotso LGA, Kano State, but resident at Apo Primary School.
The suspects have confessed to the crimes of murder and armed robbery. They stated that during the armed robbery incident, they murdered the General to prevent him from harming them with his pistols, which he brought out to defend himself but couldn’t effectively manipulate.
They also confessed to having stolen laptops and phones, among other valuables, from the deceased’s home. As fate would have it, the knife with which they stabbed him to death was recovered.
The deceased’s black GSM phone, ‘Redmi’, was also recovered. Efforts are ongoing to recover the stolen pistols and apprehend the remaining suspects.
The investigation has commenced. Further developments will be communicated, sir.”
Reacting to the murder and prompt arrest of the suspects, IVPL Chairman Brigadier General Anthony Etukudo, OON, through Deputy Chairman Maj. Gen. Paul Isang (Rtd), condemned in strong terms the gruesome murder of one of their own, Brig. Gen. Uwem Udoekwere.
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Speaking on Open Forum with Citizen MKO, an online podcast by an advocacy and human rights non-governmental organisation operated by Citizen Matthew Koffi Okono, popularly called “Citizen MKO,” Gen. Isang expressed deep sorrow over the loss of General Udoekwere, a respected member of the IVPL and former teacher.
Maj. Gen. Paul Isang (Rtd) stated, “Brig Gen. Udoekwere was one of us in the Ibom Veterans Peace League. He was once our teacher and served this nation in various capacities. For us to hear the sad news that a senior officer who has defended this country has been killed by armed robbers is so painful, and we are not happy about it. IVPL condemns this act in totality and prays against a recurrence.”
Also speaking on the incident, the Treasurer of IVPL, Major (Bar) Hogan Ene (Rtd), in his reaction, regretted the lack of adequate security for the retired general, which he believes enabled the robbers to commit the dastardly act.
He noted that “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 security across the board for personnel in or out of service as well as for communities. This is a clarion call and a watershed of information for us to offer solutions to improve the security situation.”
Brigadier General Etido Ekpo, the Public Relations Officer of IVPL, said the group had earlier issued a press statement condemning the murder and called on the police to nab and bring the perpetrators to justice. He eulogised the police for arresting some of the suspects. “I watched the video clip of the confessions of some of the masterminds, and I am impressed with the speed with which the police arrested four of them out of six. This is very commendable; I believe they are working tirelessly to track down the other two.”
Our checks have confirmed that the prime suspect, Hashiru Marazu Baku, has been arrested, and the General’s service pistol was also recovered.
Also speaking, the General Secretary of the IVPL, Rear Admiral Uduak Essien (Rtd.), commended the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, for his responsive efforts in improving the state’s security. This includes the establishment of the Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways and Ibom Community Watch, initiatives that arose from the ARISE Agenda Summit organised by the state government.
“IVPL was invited to the Arise Agenda Summit. We have been making contributions to the way forward. We are not directly involved with the operations of the Ministry of Internal Security and Ibom Community Watch. We are, however, available if called upon to do so,” he noted.
