By Uche Amunike
Major General Hassan Ahmed, former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army during the tenure of Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai was, Thursday, assassinated by unknown bandits in the Abaji area of the nation’s capital.
The General was reportedly returning from Okene with his sister, Safi Ahmed when they were attacked by the assailants who opened fire on him, killed him and made away with his sister.
The gunmen were said to have sprung from the bush and opened fire on them. His driver was said to have pretended to be dead after sustaining wounds from the attack. This made the bandits leave him for dead and kidnap the deceased sister.
General Hassan, who was recently posted to the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja did not travel with any escort on the day the unfortunate incident happened.
He was driven by his driver, Sgt Bukar in a Toyota Hilux, with a private plate number.
Director, Army Public Relations Brig. Gen Onyema Nwachukwu announced his death in a statement early Friday morning.
He said: ‘With a heavy heart, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Farouk Yahaya, Officers and Soldiers of the Nigerian Army regret to announce the passing on of Maj Gen Hassan Ahmed, a former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army.
‘The sad incident occurred when the senior officer’s vehicle was attacked by gunmen while transiting along Lokoja-Abuja road on Thursday 15 July 2021.
‘A delegation from the Army Headquarters led by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army) Maj Gen 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, Mrs Stella Omozoje have also visited the family to condole with them’.
‘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. 00 am’.
Nwachukwu also expressed the sympathies of the Chief of Army Staff , Farouk Yahaya, as well as other men of the military arm.
The unfortunate incident happened hours after the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero asked President Muhammadu Buhari to put more efforts in protecting Nigerians. He made this appeal when Buhari visited his Palace on Thursday.
Recall that the Chief of Army staff, Farouk Yahaya, very recently approved the redeployment of senior officers of the Nigerian army to various formations across the country.
These redeployments have become a routine exercise in the Army, especially as a new leadership assumes office. It was to be the third major shake-up in 2021 as the army remains stretched in peace operations in not less than 30 states in the country.
The slain Major General Hassan Ahmed with Reg No N/9564 was among the recently deployed senior officers on that exercise.
Their deployment was intended to reinvigorate the system for greater performance and effectiveness just as they were charged to take their new responsibilities/ appointments seriously and give the nation and the service, their utmost loyalty.
