A top Burundian general and most trusted aide of President Pierre Nkurunziza has been killed in an ambush by unknown assailants in the capital Bujumbura.

Gen Adolphe Nshimirimana died on Sunday after his car was hit by a rocket-propelled explosive device in the Kamenge suburb of Bujumbura.

President Nkurunziza’s advisor Willy Nyamitwe confirmed that the general had been killed.

“I have lost one of my brothers Gen Adolph Nshimirimana this morning and may his soul rest in peace,” he said.

Gen Nshimirimana, a former intelligence chief, was considered to be very important figure in President Nkurunziza’s government who helped foil the coup that was made against the president in April.

“We don’t know what next, his killing has caused fears in many of us hope nothing worse will happen tonight,” said one of the residents in Kamenge.