The head of Ethiopia’s Amhara state and his adviser were killed during a coup attempt in their state that was orchestrated by its top general, the country’s media has reported.

Ambachew Mekonnen and his adviser were attacked and killed in their offices on Saturday, reports said, adding that General Asamnew Tsige, Amhara’s head of security, was leader of the putsch. Amhara is one of nine regional states in Ethiopia.

Earlier, prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, announced Ethiopia’s army chief of staff had been shot as the government thwarted the attempted coup. Abiy took to national television in the early hours of the morning dressed in military fatigues to make the announcement about Seare Mekonnen.