by Isi Esene
Four gunmen earlier today attacked the home of Retired General Mohammed Shuwa killing him.
The men were reported to have killed the ex-army general in his residence at the Gwange 1 area of Maiduguri metropolis. He was killed alongside a guest who was with him during the unfortunate incident.
Shuwa was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees. He has served as a voice of moderation in a state which has seen so much strife and violence believed to be initiated by the dreaded Islamic group, Boko Haram.
The spokesman of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, confirmed the incident saying, “Four men initially thought to be his visitors entered his house and opened fire on the general and his guests. One of the guests died on the spot while the general died on the way to the hospital.”
The retired general had in late June attended a meeting summoned by the national security adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, to try to find a peaceful resolution to the Boko Haram nightmare.
Shuwa, 79, was a top adviser to Yakubu Gowon, the former military head of state who led Nigeria during the 1967-70 Biafra civil war.
Lt. Col. Sagir Musa’s press release announcing the assassination reads in part:
“At about 12 noon today at General Muhammadu Shuwa (Rtd) house in Gwange 1 area of Maiduguri metropolis, while the General was seated in his house with some guests, four men initially thought to be his visitors and guests for the Juma, at prayers entered his house and opened fire on the General and his guests.
“One of the guests died on the spot while the general died on the way to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. The JTF troops located in the area immediately cordoned off the area and search for the assailants is ongoing to apprehend the terrorists. The terrorists that carried out the killing of the late General will be brought to book.
“We call on the citizens to bring forward information that will assist the security agencies to apprehend the terrorists.”
