A retired senior military officer and former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd), has died while in the custody of bandits who abducted him in Katsina State.

The retired general was kidnapped alongside his wife about two weeks ago while travelling through the Matazu area of Katsina State to attend a wedding ceremony.

The Katsina State Government confirmed his death in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Mu’azu, on Saturday.

According to the commissioner, the former military officer died as a result of health complications arising from diabetes and hypertension while in captivity.

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

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The death of the retired officer has sparked renewed concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of the North-West, where bandit attacks, kidnappings and killings have continued despite ongoing military operations.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda expressed profound grief over the development and extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, describing the incident as a tragic loss not only to the family but also to the nation.

The governor noted that the unfortunate development underscores the urgent need to intensify efforts against criminal groups operating in the state and neighbouring areas.

Radda reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working closely with the Federal Government, security agencies and relevant stakeholders to ensure that those responsible for the abduction are apprehended and brought to justice.

He also assured residents that the state government remains determined to eradicate banditry and safeguard lives and property across Katsina State.

Major General Abubakar, who served as Director of Defence Information during his military career, was widely respected for his contributions to national security and strategic communications.

His abduction had generated widespread concern across the country, with security agencies launching rescue operations aimed at securing his freedom and that of his wife.

As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not provided further details regarding the condition or whereabouts of his wife.

Terror on a Dark Night: How Security Guard Allegedly Rapes Teen at Gunpoint in Ogun

ABEOKUTA – What began as a short walk home for a 16-year-old girl in the Abule-Ijoko area of Ogun State turned into a nightmare of sexual violence and terror, as a 32-year-old security guard allegedly used a locally made firearm to threaten, abduct, and rape her in the dead of night. Nearly 48 hours after the horrific incident, which occurred on the night of June 9, 2026, the Ogun State Police Command has transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) at Eleweran, Abeokuta, signaling the gravity of the allegations against the suspect, Abraham Aneka. For residents of the quiet community, the incident has shattered their sense of safety, raising urgent questions about how those trusted to protect lives can become predators.

According to a police complaint filed in the early hours of June 10, 2026, by a family member of the victim, the teenage girl was returning home alone around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The streets of Abule-Ijoko were dimly lit, and few people were out at that hour. It was then that Aneka, who worked as a security guard in the same neighborhood, allegedly emerged from the shadows. Witnesses and police sources say the suspect was not in uniform at the time but was immediately recognizable to some locals as a guard attached to a nearby private firm.

What happened next has been described by investigators as calculated and cruel. Police spokesperson Oluseyi Babaseyi, in a briefing with our correspondent, detailed the sequence of events. He stated that the suspect accosted the minor as she was making her way home and brandished a locally made single-barrel firearm—a weapon capable of causing death or serious injury—pointing it directly at her. The suspect threatened to pull the trigger if the teenager screamed or tried to run. Overcome with fear, the girl froze. The suspect then reportedly grabbed her arm and forcibly marched her to his personal residence—not a security post or public area, but his private living quarters—which was located a short distance away.

Once inside, according to preliminary findings, Aneka allegedly locked the door and again threatened the girl with the gun. He then proceeded to have unlawful carnal knowledge of her without her consent. Police sources confirm that the suspect also attempted to dispossess her of her belongings, adding an element of attempted armed robbery to the litany of charges. It remains unclear how long the ordeal lasted, but the girl was eventually able to return home in a state of visible distress. A family member, noticing her trauma, immediately took her to the Agbado Police Division to file a report.

The Agbado Division operatives did not waste time. Babaseyi confirmed that a coordinated response was launched immediately after the complaint was received. Using descriptions provided by the victim and her family, officers tracked down Aneka within hours. During the arrest, police recovered the very weapon used to terrorize the teenager—a locally fabricated, single-barrel gun. The scene of the crime was also visited, and forensic evidence was collected. The firearm has been taken into custody, and police are conducting further checks to determine if it has been used in other crimes in the area.

The teenage survivor was issued a police medical form and taken to a hospital for examination and treatment. Medical personnel are attending to both physical injuries and psychological trauma, though hospital officials declined to comment on the specifics of her condition, citing patient confidentiality. Child protection advocates have since stepped in, offering counseling services to the girl and her family. One local activist, who asked not to be named, told this newspaper: “This is every parent’s worst fear. She went home and a man with a gun took everything from her—her sense of safety, her trust, possibly her health. We must rally around her.”

The case has now been transferred from the Agbado Division to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) at Eleweran, Abeokuta. This move indicates that the police are preparing for a full-scale prosecution, likely at the High Court. Babaseyi reiterated the command’s stance, stating that the Ogun State Police Command has zero tolerance for sexual and gender-based violence, particularly offenses involving minors. He assured the public that Abraham Aneka will be prosecuted in line with the full weight of the law and that no stone will be left unturned. Legal experts say the suspect could face multiple charges including defilement (unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor), criminal intimidation (threatening with a firearm), attempted robbery, and possession of an illegal firearm. If convicted on all counts, Aneka could face life imprisonment.

Meanwhile, in Abule-Ijoko, residents are struggling to process the news. Many expressed anger that a security guard—someone expected to provide safety—allegedly became an aggressor armed with a gun. A neighbor who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity said: “We have seen him around. He seemed quiet, normal. Now we are afraid to let our daughters step outside after sunset. Who is next? The police must make an example of him.” Local leaders have called for increased patrols and better vetting of private security personnel.

The SCID is expected to conclude its investigation within weeks, after which the case file will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice. An arraignment date has not yet been set, but police sources confirm that Aneka remains in custody and is cooperating with investigators—though he has not yet made a public statement. This newspaper will continue to follow the case closely, providing updates on the victim’s recovery, the suspect’s court appearance, and any further arrests or revelations. The police have also urged residents to report cases of abuse and suspicious activity promptly for immediate action, reiterating that community cooperation remains vital in combating sexual and gender-based violence.

Terror on a Dark Night: How Security Guard Allegedly Rapes Teen at Gunpoint in Ogun

258 Nigerians Return Home, Share Disturbing Stories of Attacks in South Africa

LAGOS, NIGERIA – For the 258 Nigerians who arrived in the country aboard an Air Peace flight under the Federal Government’s evacuation programme, Thursday marked the end of years of fear, uncertainty, discrimination, and alleged xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

Many of the returnees appeared emotional as they stepped onto Nigerian soil after enduring what they described as years of hostility and insecurity. Some knelt in gratitude, others raised their hands in celebration, while many embraced relatives waiting to receive them.

For several of the evacuees, returning home represented not only an escape from danger but also an opportunity to rebuild their lives after years of struggle abroad.

Among those who spoke about their experiences were Rafiu Wasiu, Adediran Ayodeji, Enitan Amao, Abdullahi Muniru, and Joy, a mother of two. Their stories painted a troubling picture of life as Nigerian migrants in South Africa amid recurring reports of xenophobic tensions and anti-foreigner sentiment.

Rafiu Wasiu, an Ogun State indigene who spent about 11 years in South Africa, said he hopes to erase the painful memories of his time there.

According to him, Nigerians often faced discrimination based solely on their nationality.

“If anything happens and they hear you are from Nigeria, they immediately assume you are wrong, even when you are right,” he said.

Wasiu alleged that migrants were frequently subjected to harassment, intimidation, and extortion by criminals and sometimes security operatives.

He claimed that on one occasion, a friend was arrested without justification and was only released after a payment of 2,500 rand.

The automobile mechanic explained that he originally left Nigeria in search of better economic opportunities and hoped to improve the welfare of his family through earnings from abroad.

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However, he said the reality turned out to be very different from his expectations.

Despite the difficulties, Wasiu expressed optimism about his future in Nigeria.

“I am not a lazy man. I can work. At least here, I feel protected. I want to rest, stay with my family, clear my mind, and then begin again,” he said.

Another returnee, Adediran Ayodeji from Oyo State, described life in South Africa as increasingly difficult for foreign nationals.

Ayodeji, who spent 13 years in the country pursuing higher education and working as a chef and digital marketer, said he was relieved to be back in Nigeria.

He disclosed plans to continue his education and possibly join the Nigerian military to contribute to the fight against insecurity.

“I am happy to be back home. I want to continue my education and also serve Nigeria,” he said.

Perhaps one of the most disturbing accounts came from Enitan Amao, who alleged that a friend lost an eye during an attack on foreigners.

According to Amao, who worked in the private security sector, tensions escalated in communities where foreign nationals lived.

“A friend of mine lost one of his eyes during an attack. His employer had to take him to hospital where doctors fitted him with an artificial eye,” he said.

Amao further claimed that large groups of people armed with sticks and other weapons had threatened migrant communities in parts of Johannesburg.

He also recounted suffering a serious leg injury while attempting to escape an attack.

The injury, he said, left him unable to work for nearly two years due to the high cost of medical treatment.

Meanwhile, Joy, a mother of two young children, said concerns about her children’s safety influenced her decision to return home.

Carrying her 10-month-old baby while speaking to journalists, she described the challenges of living as a foreign national in South Africa.

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According to her, many Nigerians remain in South Africa despite security concerns because they fear returning to Nigeria without sufficient savings to restart their lives.

Her husband remains in South Africa to manage family property and raise funds before eventually returning home.

“I came back because of my children. Their safety comes first,” she said.

The latest evacuation follows growing concerns over threats allegedly directed at foreign nationals in some South African communities.

Over the years, xenophobic violence in South Africa has periodically drawn condemnation from African governments, human rights organisations, and regional bodies. Several incidents have resulted in deaths, injuries, displacement, and the destruction of businesses owned by migrants from different African countries.

In response to the latest concerns, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, said the Federal Government is considering escalating the issue to the African Union (AU) in search of a lasting continental solution.

According to the minister, attacks targeting individuals because of their nationality are unacceptable and require a coordinated response from African leaders.

“When you have leaders encouraging violence against other nationalities, that is unacceptable. We are engaging South African authorities at different levels and may also take the matter to the African Union for broader intervention,” he said.

The minister stressed that African nations must work together to protect the lives, rights, and property of all residents regardless of nationality.

As the returnees begin the difficult task of rebuilding their lives in Nigeria, many say they remain grateful to have escaped what they described as years of fear and uncertainty.

For them, returning home represents more than a journey across borders—it is a chance to start over and reclaim a sense of safety, dignity, and belonging.

258 Nigerians Return Home, Share Disturbing Stories of Attacks in South Africa