Armed Robbers Fatally Shoot Retired General in Abuja, Sparking Outrage

A three-man armed robbery gang has killed Brig. Gen. Harold Udokwere (retd.), the national chairman of the Retired Members of Nigerian Armed Forces (REMNAF).

The incident occurred during an attack on the retired general’s house in the Kubusa area of the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday.

Abiodun Durowaiye-Herbert, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for REMNAF, told our correspondent via telephone that the robbers arrived around 3 a.m. He explained, “They came around 3 a.m. His house had been attacked before. It’s the last house in the estate, with the back directly facing the expressway. I know they couldn’t have entered through the main gate because the security is tight. When we visited, we had to make several calls before being allowed in.”

Durowaiye-Herbert added, “Last year, they came to steal his generator and air conditioners by climbing the fence. It’s a very open area. They probably came the same way. Despite being a gentleman who didn’t talk much, they took everything and still killed him. He had relocated to the area last year to avoid traffic, moving from Kurudu.”

The National Assembly’s Sergeant-At-Arms, Air Commodore S.A. Zakari (retd.), confirmed Udokwere’s death in a statement obtained by our correspondent. Quoting the late general’s wife, Zakari said the robbers demanded her jewelry and took her husband’s pistol before she heard gunshots.

The statement read, “Brig Gen H Udokwere (rtd.) N/5575, 15th Regular, was attacked early in the morning at his home in Abuja. According to his wife, three armed robbers attacked at approximately 3 a.m. on June 22, 2024, at No. 1 Sanga Street, Sunshine Homes by Kabusa Junction in Lokogoma, Abuja. This was the third attack on the house. The robbers asked for her jewelry and took his pistol before she heard gunshots.”

Zakari added that a neighbor reported the robbers injured an estate guard. “According to Pastor Awe, his neighbor, the robbers injured one of the estate guards, who was then taken to Abacha Barracks Hospital along with Brig. Gen. Udokwere. While the guard was treated, the general was referred to the National Hospital Abuja.”

Air Commodore MM Igho informed Zakari of the incident at 8:10 a.m. Zakari rushed to the National Hospital Abuja to support the family, where he was told the general had died and his body was in the morgue.

Zakari also reported meeting with the late general’s wife to console her and notifying Maj. Gen. Okereke of the incident. “The Comd NAOWA Hospital sent an ambulance to retrieve the body of the late General Udokwere to NAOWA Hospital, where he was confirmed dead. Gen Hashim, the neighbor, has taken the family to his house. However, Mrs. Udokwere insisted on seeing her husband. Contact was made with the NDA 15th Course Mates, and Brig Gen KA Kareem visited the family.”

The family will decide the next steps regarding the funeral arrangements.

This article is sourced from The Punch newspaper, with minor edits and adaptations by The Spectacles for clarity and readability.