The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd.), who died while in the captivity of bandits, even as it vowed to intensify military operations against terrorists and other criminal elements across the country.

In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) described the late senior officer as a distinguished soldier whose contributions to national security and military development left an enduring legacy.

“The Defence Headquarters regrets to announce the passing of Major General Rabe Abubakar (Retired), who tragically lost his life in captivity following his abduction,” the statement said.

According to the military, Abubakar served Nigeria with distinction in several capacities, including as spokesperson for various military formations before rising to become Director of Defence Information.

The DHQ noted that the retired general played key roles in counter-insurgency operations and the professional development of the Armed Forces, describing his commitment to duty and national unity as exemplary.

“His commitment to duty and to the unity of Nigeria remains a shining example for all personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” it stated.

The military explained that it had deliberately refrained from commenting publicly on the officer’s abduction so as not to jeopardise ongoing rescue efforts involving security agencies.

“The Defence Headquarters withheld public comment on his abduction in deference to ongoing rescue efforts by the AFN and sister security agencies. Every operational resource was deployed in the hope of securing his safe return,” the statement added.

Describing the incident as a painful loss, the DHQ said it would strengthen the resolve of the Armed Forces to confront insecurity and protect citizens.

“This sad loss further strengthens the resolve of the AFN. We will remain resolute in the discharge of our constitutional mandate to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria and to protect all citizens.”

The military disclosed that operations across the country had since been intensified following a series of abductions, including that of the late general, with a renewed focus on dismantling terrorist and criminal networks.

“In response to a series of unfortunate abductions across Nigeria, including that of Maj. Gen. Abubakar, ongoing operations have been further intensified to bring perpetrators to justice and dismantle all terrorist networks threatening our nation,” the DHQ stated.
It assured Nigerians that sustained pressure would be maintained on criminal groups until peace and security are fully restored.

Meanwhile, the Katsina State Government has confirmed the death of the retired military officer in captivity, describing the development as a tragic loss to his family, the state and the nation.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasiru Mu’azu, the government disclosed that Abubakar died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension while still being held by his abductors.

“The deceased retired general died a natural death from complications of diabetes and hypertension,” the statement said.

The government noted that concerted efforts had been made by the state government and security agencies to secure his release before the unfortunate outcome.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda expressed profound condolences to the family of the deceased, describing the incident as a dark moment for Katsina State and a stark reminder of the need to intensify the fight against banditry and other violent crimes.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working closely with the Federal Government and security agencies to bring those responsible for the abduction to justice and strengthen security across the state.

The Atlantic Bell reports that Abubakar and his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, were abducted on May 30, 2026, when suspected bandits ambushed their vehicle near Zakin Baure village in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. The couple was travelling in a Peugeot 406 when the attack occurred. Their driver survived after sustaining gunshot injuries during the incident.

President Bola Tinubu has conferred national honours on no fewer than 1,112 Nigerians and foreign nationals in his first three years in office, a figure that surpasses the total number of recipients honoured during the eight-year administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari and triples the number recognised by former President Goodluck Jonathan in his major 2014 investiture.

The latest additions to the growing honours roll are 50 pro-democracy activists, journalists, lawyers, labour leaders and retired military officers recognised for their roles in Nigeria’s struggle against military rule and their contributions to the restoration of democratic governance.

Announcing the honours during his Democracy Day address on Friday, Tinubu said the awardees paid significant personal and professional sacrifices in the fight for freedom, justice and constitutional rule, with many enduring detention, imprisonment, exile and other forms of persecution under successive military regimes.

Among those honoured is former Managing Director of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Sir Ademola Osinubi, whose newspaper remained a critical voice against military dictatorship during the regimes of Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha despite government intimidation, advertising boycotts and security threats.

Also recognised are former Editorial Board Chairman of the defunct Concord Newspapers, Segun Babatope; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Oladele Alake, a former editor of Sunday Concord and National Concord; and Olatunji Bello, former editor of Sunday Concord and past Chairman of the Editorial Board of THISDAY.

Others on the list include Chairman of The Nation Editorial Board, Sam Omatseye; former editors of The PUNCH, Bola Bolawole and Gbemiga Ogunleye; and former media adviser to ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Muyiwa Adekeye.

Several journalists who suffered imprisonment during the Abacha era were also honoured. They include Ben Charles-Obi of Weekend Classique, George Mbah of Tell Magazine, Osa Director of Tell, and Niran Malaolu of The Diet.

Veteran journalist and lawyer Richard Akinnola, former Editor of Vanguard Newspaper, was recognised alongside pro-democracy figures such as Dr Arthur Nwankwo, who received a posthumous award, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Chief Ayo Opadokun, Prof Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Debo Adeniran, Femi Aborisade and several others who played prominent roles in the struggle for democratic rule.

Tinubu also honoured 17 retired military officers whom he described as “soldier-democrats” for standing against the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and for supporting democratic ideals from within the armed forces.

Among them are Major General M.A. Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, Major General Chris Eze, Major General Harris Dzarma, Colonel Emmanuel Ndubueze, Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe, and former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki.

The President said the recognition was intended not only to honour the sacrifices of the awardees but also to remind Nigerians of the collective responsibility to strengthen democratic institutions.

“I salute labour leaders, journalists, activists, students, women, professionals, political leaders and soldiers, both those who have passed and those still with us, for their patriotic contributions,” Tinubu said.

“As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought. The greatest tribute we can pay is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunity is expanded and government is accountable.”

He disclosed that a comprehensive honours list, including the specific award categories for each recipient, would be released in the coming days by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The latest conferment further expands the number of national honours awarded under the Tinubu administration to more than 1,100 recipients, making it one of the most extensive recognition exercises since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.

A civil society organisation, the Centre for Security and Peace Advancement (CSPA), has called on Nigerians to appreciate the operational complexities confronting security agencies during rescue missions involving kidnapped victims held in remote forest camps across the country.

The group cautioned against public pressure for immediate large-scale military offensives against kidnappers, warning that such actions could endanger the lives of hostages.

Speaking on behalf of the organisation, its Executive Director, Abdul Ganiyu, said demands for swift assaults on identified criminal hideouts often overlook the difficult realities faced by security forces tasked with rescuing victims alive.

According to him, military operations are guided primarily by the need to safeguard lives, including those of captives who are frequently used as human shields by kidnappers.

“The public must understand that rescue missions are not as simple as sending troops into a forest and engaging criminals. In many cases, victims are surrounded by heavily armed kidnappers who may kill hostages at the slightest indication of an approaching military force,” Ganiyu said.

He explained that abductors often disperse victims across multiple locations within dense forests, making direct military assaults highly risky and potentially fatal for those being held captive.

Ganiyu noted that security agencies typically depend on painstaking intelligence gathering, surveillance, negotiations and carefully coordinated operations to create opportunities for successful rescues while minimising casualties among both victims and security personnel.

He further observed that many forests serving as criminal enclaves are vast, rugged and difficult to navigate, while kidnappers often possess extensive knowledge of the terrain.

Such conditions, he said, require detailed planning to avoid ambushes, friendly-fire incidents and unintended harm to civilians.

Drawing lessons from counter-terrorism and anti-banditry campaigns across the world, the CSPA director stressed that hasty military offensives have, in some instances, resulted in the mass killing of hostages — outcomes security commanders are keen to prevent.

While acknowledging public frustration over the growing incidence of kidnapping, Ganiyu maintained that operational decisions must be driven by intelligence, professionalism and the safety of victims rather than emotional reactions or public pressure.

The organisation commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria, intelligence agencies and other security services for their continued efforts to secure the release of abducted persons under difficult and often life-threatening conditions.

It also urged communities to support security agencies by providing credible intelligence capable of exposing criminal hideouts, movement patterns and logistical networks.

“Every rescue operation must balance speed with caution. The ultimate objective is not merely to neutralise criminals but to ensure that innocent Nigerians return home alive.

This is why security forces must carefully assess every situation before launching kinetic operations,” Ganiyu added.