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Abducted General, Wife Beg Gov’t for Rescue in New Video

Published

1 month ago

June 6, 2026

'He Died in My Arms' — General Rabe's Wife Contradicts Official Death Account

Retired Major General of the Nigerian Army, Abubakar Rabe, and his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar

Abducted General, Wife Beg Gov’t for Rescue in New Video

A retired Major General of the Nigerian Army, Abubakar Rabe, and his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, who were abducted along the Karaduwa–Matazu Road in Katsina State exactly a week ago, have appeared in a new video begging the government to come to their aid. The four-minute video shows the couple in captivity relaying their abductors’ demands, which include the release of three detained individuals and the return of seized livestock, with no ransom demand mentioned throughout the footage.

The video, which surfaced on social media on Saturday, June 6, 2026, shows the retired general and his wife standing side by side as they appeal to government authorities and community leaders to intervene and secure their release. Speaking in the video, Hajiya Amina conveyed the kidnappers’ demand for the release of three of their members identified as Sani, Aminu, and Nasiru. According to her account, two of the detained individuals were arrested in Jikamshi, Katsina State, while the third was arrested in Kano State. The abductors also demanded the return of livestock, including cows and sheep, which they alleged had been confiscated from them by authorities. “We are appealing to the Katsina State Government and leaders of the affected local government areas to help address these demands so that we can regain our freedom,” Hajiya Amina said in the video. She specifically appealed to Governor Dikko Radda and the local government chairmen of Matazu, Musawa, Kankia, Charanci, and Kusada to facilitate compliance with the demands. The wife further claimed that the abductors insisted they play a role in securing the area. “Additionally, these individuals play a vital role in protecting this area; they have informed us that they are actively securing the land,” she said.

The retired army general, who spoke briefly in the video, called for efforts to ensure peace, stating that the abductors had expressed interest in dialogue and peaceful coexistence. “The people holding us have expressed a desire for peaceful coexistence. I appeal to all concerned to work towards peace and ensure that this matter is resolved amicably,” he said. Appealing for dialogue, the couple urged authorities to pursue reconciliation with the group. “Since the primary duty of the government is to provide security for its citizens, we urge the authorities to cooperate, sit down with them, and find a lasting solution. Reconciliation is always the best path, as Allah says, ‘Al-Sulhu Khayran’ (peace is better),” Hajiya Amina said. Throughout the video, no monetary ransom demand was mentioned, a departure from the pattern typical of many kidnapping incidents in the region.

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The retired major general was travelling to Katsina on Saturday, May 30, 2026, alongside his wife and their driver, Abdullahi Sa’idu, when their vehicle was ambushed along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area. The attack occurred near Zakin Baure village around 11 a.m., where witnesses said armed men, believed to be bandits, suddenly emerged from hiding, blocked the road, and opened fire on the vehicle, forcing it to a halt. In a statement, the Katsina State Police Command confirmed the attack, stating that suspected armed bandits wielding dangerous weapons attacked a red Peugeot 406 saloon along Karaduwa-Matazu Road. The driver, Abdullahi Sa’idu, sustained a gunshot injury to his right arm. The two occupants—Major General Abubakar Rabe (rtd) and Hajiya Amina Abdullahi—were abducted before the arrival of security personnel. The Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar Fage, visited the scene of the incident and ordered the deployment of additional personnel and assets to reinforce the ongoing search-and-rescue operation.

A notorious bandit leader, Kachallah Muhammad, who operates in parts of Katsina State, has reportedly established communication with relatives of the victims. The bandit kingpin opened a line of communication with the family of the retired general on Monday, June 1, two days after the abduction. A senior local government official in Batsari, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that he personally spoke with the abducted officer during the conversation facilitated by Kachallah Muhammad. “I spoke with Major General Rabe through Kachallah Muhammad. He told us that he is hale and hearty and that his wife is also fine,” the official said. According to the source, the retired general assured his family and associates that they were being adequately taken care of by their captors. The official further disclosed that during the interaction, Kachallah Muhammad made his demands clear, insisting on the release of his relatives allegedly being held by Nigerian security authorities. “He said what he wants is the immediate release of his relatives in government custody,” the official added. The bandit leader also expressed willingness to return to negotiations, indicating openness to dialogue aimed at restoring peace in Matazu and other areas under his influence.

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The Defence Headquarters has ordered the deployment of intelligence assets following the abduction, with troops working around the clock to secure the release of the senior officer. A senior military officer, who spoke in confidence regarding the development, declined to give details of the ongoing operation but said “we are working round the clock to rescue him.” Major General Abubakar Rabe, a retired major general, served as Director of Defence Information, the media arm of the Defence Headquarters, between 2015 and 2017. During his tenure, he was one of the military’s principal spokespersons and frequently briefed Nigerians on security operations across the country. His abduction was earlier disclosed by former Senator Babafemi Ojudu, who cited information from retired army spokesperson Sagir Musa.

Relatives and residents of Batsari have expressed deep concern over the abduction, describing the incident as a devastating blow to both his family and the community that has benefited from his years of service and philanthropy. A family member, Mariya Ibrahim, said the retired general, whom she described as the family’s breadwinner, was travelling to Katsina for a wedding with his wife when they were abducted. “He served this country with dedication and deserves protection even in retirement. We want him and his wife rescued unharmed,” she said. Another relative, Aisha Abubakar Batsari, described the retired officer as the pillar of the extended family and appealed for his safe rescue. A community leader, Haruna Mai Maganin Kwari Batsari, said the retired officer was expected in the town on the day of the incident to discuss community matters before news of the abduction spread. A resident, Ibrahim Mamman Batsari, said the incident had created fear among ordinary citizens. “If a retired senior military officer can be kidnapped, then ordinary citizens are even more vulnerable. Government must rise to its responsibility,” he said.

Security analyst Abubakar Ibrahim described the development as reflecting growing boldness among armed groups and a deepening security crisis in Katsina State. “The kidnapping of a retired Major General shows how emboldened bandits have become. It exposes the vulnerability of major highways and rural communities. If urgent and decisive action is not taken, the situation could further deteriorate,” he said. As of the time of filing this report, neither the Katsina State Government nor security agencies had issued an official statement regarding the video released by the abductors. The incident underscores continuing security concerns in Katsina State and the wider North-west region, where kidnapping and bandit attacks remain persistent despite ongoing military and police operations.

Abducted General, Wife Beg Gov’t for Rescue in New Video

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NSCDC busts alleged fake university in Lagos, rescues 106 students

Published

3 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Trends Admin

NSCDC busts alleged fake university in Lagos, rescues 106 students

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered an alleged fake university operating from a three-bedroom apartment in Ilado, within the Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, rescuing 106 young people believed to have been lured into a fraudulent admission scheme.

The operation, carried out by the NSCDC Badagry Area Command in the early hours of Monday, also led to the arrest of the suspected proprietor, who allegedly deceived prospective students from different parts of Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries with promises of admission into a foreign university.

According to the NSCDC, the raid followed several days of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance after security operatives received credible information about suspicious activities at the location.

Speaking after the operation, the Badagry Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Gbenga Ekunola, said investigators closely monitored the premises before moving in to dismantle the operation.

“We got reliable intelligence about the activities going on there. Our officers monitored the place for days before moving in. We have arrested the proprietor, who is assisting with our investigation, while the students have been taken into our protective custody,” Ekunola said.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the institution allegedly had no official name, registration, signboard or recognised campus, yet it presented itself online as a distance-learning centre affiliated with a foreign university.

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Investigators believe the operators used digital platforms and social media to attract unsuspecting admission seekers by promising internationally recognised academic qualifications.

The NSCDC disclosed that most of the rescued youths, aged between 19 and 24, travelled from states including Kogi, Oyo and several northern states after responding to online advertisements promoting the programme.

The investigation also revealed that some of the victims came from neighbouring countries, including Niger, Cameroon and Togo, believing they were enrolling in a legitimate foreign-affiliated tertiary institution.

According to investigators, the victims allegedly paid between ₦200,000 and ₦1.5 million as admission and processing fees, while some foreign nationals reportedly paid between $400 and $500 to secure admission into the purported institution.

The corps further alleged that participants were encouraged to recruit additional students in exchange for commissions, with the recruitment model operating in a manner similar to a Ponzi or multi-level marketing (MLM) scheme.

One of the rescued students reportedly told investigators that after paying $400 to join the programme, he persuaded his brother in Kogi State to enrol and had already started receiving referral commissions.

Investigators also alleged that some participants earned additional income by marketing unidentified products online while receiving commissions from product sales and recruitment activities.

Ekunola said many parents and guardians were unaware of the true nature of their children’s activities in Badagry.

“We have started contacting their families. One parent told us her child informed the family that he came to Badagry to learn a trade, not to attend a university. That shows many of these parents were completely unaware,” he said.

The area commander disclosed that all 106 rescued youths would undergo profiling, counselling and other necessary procedures before being reunited with their families after investigations are concluded.

He warned individuals and groups operating illegal educational institutions to stop exploiting admission seekers, stressing that anyone found culpable would face prosecution in accordance with the law.

The NSCDC also announced that investigations have been expanded to identify other members of the alleged syndicate, trace financial transactions linked to the operation and determine whether similar fraudulent admission schemes are operating in other parts of the country.

The corps urged parents, guardians and prospective students to verify the accreditation status of any tertiary institution through relevant regulatory agencies before paying admission or processing fees.

Education experts have repeatedly warned that enrolling in unaccredited institutions could expose students to financial losses and certificates that are not recognised for employment, professional licensing or further academic studies.

The latest operation underscores the ongoing efforts by security agencies to dismantle illegal educational institutions and protect unsuspecting Nigerians from admission-related fraud.

NSCDC busts alleged fake university in Lagos, rescues 106 students

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Former Miss Universe Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina battles deportation in South African court

Published

4 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Miss Universe Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina

Former Miss Universe Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina battles deportation in South African court

Former Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 and Miss Universe Africa & Oceania, Chidimma Adetshina, has appeared before the Cape Town Regional Court to challenge the South African Department of Home Affairs’ attempt to deport her, as a legal battle over her immigration status continues to attract attention across Africa.

The latest court hearing followed an application filed by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs, which is seeking judicial approval to continue Adetshina’s detention pending her deportation. Her legal team, however, argues that the deportation process is unlawful and has asked the court to halt the proceedings while her immigration status is fully determined.

Adetshina was arrested in June 2026 after the Department of Home Affairs alleged that she had entered South Africa without lawful immigration status after previously being declared a prohibited person. Authorities subsequently initiated deportation proceedings, while her lawyers insisted that she had been taking steps to regularise her stay in the country.

During the proceedings, Adetshina’s legal representatives argued that she is not a flight risk, describing her as a globally recognised public figure who has cooperated with immigration authorities throughout the process. They also informed the court that she is willing to surrender her South African passport if necessary and comply with any conditions the court may impose while the case is being determined.

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The defence further submitted an affidavit detailing the efforts Adetshina has made to regularise her immigration status, maintaining that she should not be detained or deported before the legal issues surrounding her residency are resolved.

The immigration dispute is the latest chapter in a controversy that first emerged during the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant.

Born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother, Adetshina was among the leading contestants for the Miss South Africa crown before withdrawing from the competition after questions were raised about her family’s citizenship documentation.

In August 2024, South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs announced that preliminary investigations suggested Adetshina’s mother may have been involved in identity fraud. Although the investigation focused on her mother’s documentation, the controversy triggered widespread online criticism and xenophobic attacks directed at Adetshina because of her Nigerian heritage, despite her being born in South Africa and meeting the pageant’s eligibility requirements.

Following her withdrawal from the South African competition, Adetshina accepted an invitation to contest the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 pageant, where she emerged winner and went on to represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe 2024 competition.

She achieved international acclaim after finishing as first runner-up at the global pageant and was crowned Miss Universe Africa & Oceania, recording one of Nigeria’s strongest performances in the competition’s history.

Meanwhile, lawyers representing the Department of Home Affairs maintained that the agency acted within the law in declaring Adetshina a prohibited person and initiating deportation proceedings. They urged the court to uphold the department’s actions, arguing that immigration laws must be enforced consistently.

The case has also drawn legal attention following a recent ruling by the Western Cape High Court, which questioned the authority of magistrates to issue warrants authorising immigration detention. That judgment has become one of the legal issues being considered in Adetshina’s challenge against her continued detention.

After hearing arguments from both parties, the Cape Town Regional Court reserved judgment and adjourned the matter. The court is expected to deliver its ruling on August 19, 2026, a decision that could determine whether Adetshina remains in South Africa or faces deportation.

The outcome of the case is expected to have broader implications for immigration enforcement, administrative justice and the treatment of citizenship-related disputes in South Africa.

Former Miss Universe Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina battles deportation in South African court

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Police arrest hospital cleaner for allegedly stealing NYSC doctor’s ₦18m car in Adamawa

Published

4 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Police arrest hospital cleaner for allegedly stealing NYSC doctor’s ₦18m car in Adamawa

The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old hospital cleaner, Mohammed Dan-Azumi, for allegedly stealing a 2016 Toyota Corolla Sport valued at about ₦18 million from a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) doctor in the state.

The suspect was apprehended in Kano State after an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the State Intelligence Department (SID), Yola, who also recovered the stolen vehicle.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Suleiman Nguroje, the incident was reported after the vehicle owner entrusted the car to Dan-Azumi for washing.

The police said the suspect, who is from Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State, allegedly drove the vehicle away instead of returning it to its owner.

“The breakthrough followed a report lodged by the owner of the vehicle, who stated that he had entrusted his vehicle to Mohammed Dan-Azumi, 26, of Girei Local Government Area, for washing. The suspect allegedly absconded with the vehicle to an unknown destination,” the statement read.

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Following the complaint, detectives attached to the State Intelligence Department (SID) immediately launched a coordinated investigation, deploying intelligence-gathering techniques to track the suspect’s movements.

The operation led officers to Kano State, where Dan-Azumi was arrested and the stolen vehicle was successfully recovered.

Findings revealed that the suspect works as a cleaner at Girei Cottage Hospital, where the vehicle owner, a serving NYSC member, is undergoing his primary assignment as a medical doctor.

Police said investigations are continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged theft and determine whether any other persons were involved in the crime.

The suspect is expected to be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

Reacting to the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Command, CP Kabiru Hassan, commended the professionalism, dedication and swift response of the investigating team.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling all forms of crime and criminality across the state and assured residents that the police would continue to strengthen intelligence-led policing to protect lives and property.

The commissioner also appealed to members of the public to support law enforcement agencies by providing timely, credible and actionable information that could aid the prevention, detection and investigation of criminal activities.

The recovery of the vehicle adds to the command’s recent efforts to combat vehicle theft and other property-related crimes in Adamawa State.