By John Ikani
A senior military officer and former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army, Major General Hassan Ahmed has been killed in Abuja.
He was murdered Thursday night in the Abaji area. The assailants also kidnapped his sister.
Confirming the incident to newsmen, a family source disclosed that Ahmed and his sister were coming from Okene, Kogi State when they were attacked.
“They opened fire on his vehicle, he died. The driver pretended to be dead from the wound he sustained, so they took the sister away”, the family source said.
Ahmed reportedly didn’t travel heavy as he made the trip without guards.
Until his death, Ahmed, army number N/9698 was a Director at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
Army reacts
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of Ahmed in a statement issued by its Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu on Friday.
The statement revealed that the incident happened when the top officer’s vehicle was “attacked by gunmen while transiting along Lokoja – Abuja road”.
Nwachukwu disclosed that an Army delegation, led by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Major General Anthony Omozoje, has visited the widow and other members of the bereaved family.
Members of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), led by the Deputy National President, Stella Omozoje have also paid a condolence visit.
“The remains of the deceased senior officer will be accorded a befitting burial at the Lungi Barracks Cemetery on Friday, 16 July 2021 by 10 a.m.”, the statement added.
Nwachukwu conveyed the sympathies of the Chief of Army Staff, Faruk Yahaya, officers and men of the military arm.
What you should know
Nigeria is currently battling insecurity at numerous fronts with major roads becoming hotpots for attacks and abductions by unknown gunmen.
Ahmed’s death comes just days after suspected armed robbers shot dead an army officer, Maj. M.S. Isma’il and wounded his orderly Pte. Harisu Aliyu.
The robbers attacked the officer and soldier, while they were travelling from Maiduguri to Kaduna.
