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Growing anger has greeted reports that no fewer than six serving military commanders and one retired Major General have lost their lives to terrorism and banditry since the beginning of 2026, as Nigeria continues to grapple with worsening insecurity.

ZINGTIE reports that the country’s battle against insurgency has become increasingly deadly in recent months, with a notable rise in killings and kidnappings for ransom, raising fresh concerns over the prolonged security crisis.

While civilians continue to suffer frequent attacks in different parts of the country, senior military personnel have also become targets of violent assaults carried out by insurgents and armed criminal groups.

On February 16, 2026, Boko Haram fighters reportedly invaded Mandaragirau community in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, where Lieutenant Colonel O.C. Okolo was killed.

The slain officer was later laid to rest in April at his hometown of Obinofia Ndiuno in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Less than a month later, on March 1, 2026, armed insurgents reportedly killed Major U.I. Mairiga, commander of the Mayenti military base in Borno State.

The wave of attacks continued on March 6 when Lieutenant Colonel S.I. Iliyasu lost his life during a Boko Haram assault on a battalion formation in Konduga, Borno State.

Just days later, on March 9, Lieutenant Colonel Umar Farouq was also killed after insurgents launched another deadly attack on a military facility in the state.

The casualties extended into April when Colonel I.A. Mohammed, Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Army’s 242 Battalion in Monguno, Borno State, was reportedly killed while on active duty on April 13, 2026.

Similarly, Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah was reportedly shot dead by members of the Islamic State of West African Province, ISWAP, on April 9.

The latest tragedy involved retired Major General Rabe Abubakar.

Although he was no longer in active service, the retired officer reportedly died while in captivity after being abducted by terrorists in Katsina State.

He was kidnapped alongside his wife on May 30 along the Marabar Musawa-Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of the state.

ZINGTIE reports that the retired General was last seen in a video released by his captors, who issued a series of demands, including the release of detained bandits and confiscated livestock.

In the four-minute, two-second footage that circulated online, the couple appeared standing while relaying the conditions presented by their abductors.

Speaking in the video, his wife conveyed the demand for the release of three individuals identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru.

According to her, two of the men were arrested in Jikamshi, while the third was detained in Kano State.

She also appealed to the Katsina State Government and leaders of five local government areas to intervene and help secure compliance with the demands in order to facilitate their release.

However, in a statement issued on Saturday, Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu, announced that the retired General died due to complications arising from diabetes and hypertension.

Nigerians express outrage

Social media platforms were flooded with reactions on Saturday as many Nigerians expressed frustration over the inability of authorities to secure the release of the retired military officer before his death.

Following confirmation of his passing, several prominent political figures paid tribute to the late General while using the opportunity to comment on the country’s worsening security challenges.

Nigeria cannot continue like this – Peter Obi

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, described the incident as deeply painful, saying the late General was a distinguished officer who devoted a significant part of his life to defending Nigeria and its people.

“It is tragic that a man who served his fatherland with honour, rose through the ranks of the Nigerian Armed Forces, and retired after years of meritorious service, would meet such a heartbreaking end at the hands of criminal elements.

“His death is a national tragedy and a sobering indictment of the insecurity that has engulfed our country.

“When traders can no longer travel safely to markets, farmers cannot access their farms, communities live under constant fear, and even retired senior military officers are not spared from the menace of kidnapping and violent crime, it becomes evident that our nation is facing a grave security emergency”.

Obi urged the Federal Government and security agencies to move beyond rhetoric and adopt a more coordinated, technology-driven and intelligence-based strategy to tackle insecurity.

According to him, Nigeria must strengthen its “security architecture, improve intelligence gathering, secure our borders, equip and motivate our security personnel, and ensure that those responsible for these heinous crimes are apprehended and brought to justice”.

It has become a national disaster – Sam Amadi

Former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Sam Amadi, also expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation, pointing to the deaths of several senior military officers.

Describing the development as unfortunate, Amadi questioned why a retired General could remain in captivity for weeks without being rescued.

“Why should a retired General be held in the forest for weeks and the Nigerian state cannot rescue him and his wife?

“Where does the competence of the Tinubu government lie if it cannot rescue this retired General? This has happened too many times to become a national disaster.

“The Nigerian government is only able to do propaganda and arrest political enemies and activists”.

Nigerians now endangered in their own country — David Mark

National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Senator David Mark, lamented what he described as the increasing vulnerability of Nigerians due to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

In a statement issued through his media aide, the former Senate President observed that insecurity has continued to worsen for more than a decade, affecting citizens across the country.

He called on Nigerians to unite against all forms of criminality threatening national peace and stability.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, through a statement released on Saturday night by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, insisted that despite the actions of terrorists, the government would not yield to demands for the release of detained criminal elements.

The President reiterated that “bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror should now surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State.

“These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. And no mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians”.

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