Ibom Veterans Peace League has condemned the brutal murder of retired Brigadier-General Uwem Harold Udoekwere, who until his death, was the National Chairman of Retired Members of Nigerian Armed Forces (REMENAF).
The league which is an Akwa Ibom State-based Non-Governmental, Non-Military, Non-Partisan Organization made up of retired military personnel of Akwa Ibom origin is demanding justice for their slain colleague.
Gen. Udoekwere, an Etinan-born from Akwa Ibom, was reportedly murdered on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at his home in an estate in Lokogoma area, Abuja by six suspected robbers.
The suspects were said to have 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 police, the dare-devil robbers were said to have made away with two pistols, laptops, phones and other valuables of their victim.
Speaking on Open Forum with Citizen MKO, an online Podcast by an advocacy and human rights Non-Governmental Organization operated by Citizen Matthew Koffi Okono popularly called “Citizen MKO,” Brigadier General Anthony Etukudo, OON, speaking through the Deputy Chairman of the organization, Major Gen. Paul Isang (retd) said, “Brig Gen Udoekwere was one of us in Ibom Veterans Peace League.’’
Reacting to the murder and prompt arrest of the suspects, the Deputy Chairman of Ibom Veterans Peace League (IVPL), Isang condemned the gruesome murder of one of their colleagues, Brig. Gen Uwem Udoekwere.
‘‘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.”
The General Secretary of the IVPL, Rear Admiral Uduak Essien (retd) commended Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno for being responsive to the ideas on improving the security situation in Akwa Ibom State.
The ideas, according to them, led to the establishment of the Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways and birth of Ibom Community Watch which arising from the Arise Agenda Summit organized by the Akwa Ibom State Government under his leadership.
“IVPL was invited to the Arise Agenda Summit. We have been making contributions on 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.
Also speaking, the Treasurer of IVPL, Major Hogan Ene (retd) regretted lack of adequate security for the retired General which must have enabled the robbers to have committed the dastardly act.
Ene who is also a lawyer 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 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.”
Brigadier-General Etido Ekpo, the Public Relations Officer of IVPL, said the group had earlier issued a press statement condemning the murder, but urged the police to bring the perpetrators arrested few weeks ago to justice.
“I actually watched the video clip of the confessions of some of the masterminds and I am impressed with the speed the Police used in arresting four of them out of six. This is very commendable. I am believing that they are working tirelessly to track down the other two,” Ekpo who eulogised the police for arresting some of the suspects said.
Police Report on arrest
In the police report entitled: Arrest of Notorious murderers/Armed Robbers and Recovery of Exhibits, published by Premium Times, stated: “…Full report on the Arrests 23/06/2024 at Kabusa and Pigbakasa Apo in FCT, Abuja Utako Div. operatives led by CSP Victor O. Godfrey arrested four suspects who robbed and murdered a retired Brigadier General, Gen. Uwem Harold (retd) N/5575 15th Regular course at house No.9 Sanga Street, Sundshine Homes by Kabusa Junction Lokogoma FCT, Abuja.
They are (1) Ibrahim Rabiu ‘m’ 33 yrs old from Dala LGA Kano state but resident at Rasha Apo Roundabout (2) Nafiu Jamil ‘m’ 33 yrs old from Tofa LGA Kano, but resident at Apo Pantekar (3) Aliyu Abdullahi ‘m’ 47 yrs old from Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara state but resident at Apo Roundabout Abuja (4) Mohammed Nuhu ‘m’ 28 yrs old from Kumbotso LGA Kano state but resident at Apo Primary School.
‘‘The suspects have all confessed to the heinous crimes of murder and robbery of the late General. They stated that during the armed robbery incident, they murdered the General to prevent him from harming them with his pistols he brought out to defend himself but could not effectively manipulated it.
‘‘They also confessed to have stolen Laptops, phones among other valuables from the deceased home. As fate would have, the knife in which they stabbed him to death was recovered.
‘‘The deceased black GSM phone ‘Redmi’ made was also recovered. The prime suspect, one Hashiru Marazu Baku, had been arrested, and the General’s service pistol was also recovered.
Effort is on top gear to arrest the fleeing remaining suspects and recover their weapons. Investigation has commenced,’’ the police report stated.
