News
Insecurity: Retired Generals Raise Alarm
Retired military officers and associates of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd) have called for a more proactive and realistic approach to tackling insecurity in Nigeria, saying many previous measures have either failed or delivered limited results.
The retired officers made the call on Thursday during a press conference in Kaduna held in honour of the retired general, who died after being abducted by bandits in Katsina State.
The retired army general was abducted alongside his wife, Hajiya Amina Rabe, by bandits on May 30 in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
He later died in captivity, and his body was released by the bandits to state officials. He was buried in Katsina last Saturday in accordance with Islamic rites.
A few days after his death, his wife regained her freedom following a military operation in Katsina State.
Speaking on behalf of the retired military officers, Brigadier General Isma’ila Abdullahi (rtd) said the death of General Rabe should serve as a wake-up call for government and security agencies to rethink current strategies against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
Among those present at the briefing were Brigadier General Abubakar Abdulqadir (rtd), Brigadier General M.I. Tsiga (rtd), Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (rtd), Ambassador Ibrahim Usman Gafai and Ambassador Ahmed Muhammad Musawa.
Abdullahi described the late general’s death as a painful reminder of the worsening security situation in the country.
“Our colleague, friend and brother, Major General Rabe Abubakar, died after being abducted by bandits. His death has left us shocked and deeply saddened,” he said.
While commending the Federal Government and the Katsina State Government for efforts that led to the rescue of the deceased’s wife, Hajiya Amina Rabe Abubakar, the retired officers said the incident exposed serious weaknesses in the country’s security system.
They said restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions would require stronger leadership, better coordination and a comprehensive strategy focused on preventing attacks before they occur.
“The time has come for a more realistic and proactive response to insecurity. Nigerians deserve to live without fear, and the government must act with greater urgency to make that possible,” Abdullahi said.
He also said insecurity has spread beyond any particular region and should no longer be viewed through ethnic, religious or political lenses.
He cautioned Nigerians against blaming the North alone for the country’s security challenges, noting that kidnappings, terrorism and banditry now affect virtually all parts of the country.
“Security is a national problem that requires a national solution. We must stop giving it ethnic or regional colouration,” Abdullahi said.
The retired officers argued that the current security situation demands fresh thinking and stronger political commitment.
They identified weak cooperation among stakeholders, ethnic divisions, religious intolerance and inadequate political will as some of the factors hindering efforts to defeat criminal groups.
According to them, governments at all levels must move from reacting to attacks to preventing them through intelligence gathering, early warning systems and stronger security institutions.
The group called for greater investment in intelligence operations, improved coordination among security agencies and stronger border controls to curb the inflow of illegal weapons.
They also urged the 19 northern governors to work together on a regional security framework to address banditry, kidnapping and the proliferation of small arms.
While welcoming security cooperation between Nigeria and foreign partners, including the United States, the retired officers stressed that the responsibility for protecting Nigerians rests primarily with Nigerian authorities.
“No nation can secure Nigeria for us. International cooperation is important, but Nigeria must take the lead in securing its citizens,” Abdullahi said.
The former military officers also advocated greater support for community-based security structures, particularly in rural areas where many attacks occur.
According to them, vigilante groups and local security volunteers should be properly trained, supervised and equipped to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies.
“When heavily armed criminals attack communities, local defenders cannot be expected to confront them with inadequate equipment. Communities can organise and train selected youths under proper supervision to support security efforts,” he said.
However, they warned against uncontrolled distribution of weapons, insisting that any community security arrangement must operate under strict regulations.
The group also called on state governments to strengthen the proposed forest guard initiative through adequate recruitment, training, logistics and operational support.
On the debate over state police, the retired officers expressed support for the idea but said only states with the financial and institutional capacity to sustain such outfits should establish them
The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has charged politicians and other political leaders in Nigeria to prioritise the welfare and interests of the citizens in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He made the charge in a statement issued by his Director of Media and Public Affairs , Otunba Moses Olafare,following a media chat held by the traditional shortly after paying homage and performing traditional rites at his Royal family home in Ile-Ife, Osun State, as part of the obligatory rites marking the 2026 Olojo Festival.
The Ooni, who is also the co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), stressed the need for political leaders to always place the collective interest of the people above personal and political considerations, urging them to work towards building a peaceful, united and prosperous Nigeria.
Ooni Ogunwusi noted that political leadership comes with a responsibility to the people, saying those entrusted with public offices should remain committed to improving the lives of citizens and strengthening the unity of the country.
He also called on Nigerians to continue to support efforts aimed at promoting peace and development, stressing that the progress of Nigeria requires the collective commitment of both leaders and citizens.
The Ooni, while speaking on the significance of this year’s Olojo Festival, said the celebration goes beyond being a cultural heritage of the Yoruba people, describing it as a global festival of thanksgiving, hope, restoration and divine intervention.
According to him, the emergence of daylight celebrated through Olojo carries a message of hope and renewal for humanity, particularly at a time when nations around the world are confronted with various challenges.
“This Olojo has given us a sample of appreciation. It is a global festival, a festival of thanksgiving. The day that the day comes out across the universe, we celebrate it here in the ancient city of Ile-Ife. It gives us hope that our condition as a nation is turning around,” the Ooni said.
The Ooni also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and offered ancestral prayers and blessings for the President, expressing hope for peace, stability and sustainable progress in Nigeria.
He urged political leaders to see their positions as opportunities to serve humanity, rather than avenues for personal enrichment or division, while calling for greater commitment to the national interest.
The 2026 Olojo Festival attracted a large gathering of traditional rulers, government officials, politicians, cultural enthusiasts, tourists and other dignitaries from different parts of Nigeria and beyond.
The influx of visitors also boosted commercial activities across Ile-Ife, with traders, hospitality operators, transporters, food vendors and other businesses recording increased patronage during the festival period.
The Olojo Festival remains one of the most significant traditional festivals associated with Ile-Ife and the Yoruba people. It is traditionally linked to the commemoration of the emergence of daylight after primordial darkness and is marked by spiritual rites, prayers and cultural activities seeking peace, prosperity and progress for the people.
The 2026 edition has once again placed Ile-Ife at the centre of global attention, providing an avenue for the preservation and promotion of Yoruba cultural heritage while strengthening the city’s position as a major destination for cultural tourism.
The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has charged politicians and other political leaders in Nigeria to prioritise the welfare and interests of the citizens in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He made the charge in a statement issued by his Director of Media and Public Affairs , Otunba Moses Olafare,following a media chat held by the traditional shortly after paying homage and performing traditional rites at his Royal family home in Ile-Ife, Osun State, as part of the obligatory rites marking the 2026 Olojo Festival.
The Ooni, who is also the co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), stressed the need for political leaders to always place the collective interest of the people above personal and political considerations, urging them to work towards building a peaceful, united and prosperous Nigeria.
Ooni Ogunwusi noted that political leadership comes with a responsibility to the people, saying those entrusted with public offices should remain committed to improving the lives of citizens and strengthening the unity of the country.
He also called on Nigerians to continue to support efforts aimed at promoting peace and development, stressing that the progress of Nigeria requires the collective commitment of both leaders and citizens.
The Ooni, while speaking on the significance of this year’s Olojo Festival, said the celebration goes beyond being a cultural heritage of the Yoruba people, describing it as a global festival of thanksgiving, hope, restoration and divine intervention.
According to him, the emergence of daylight celebrated through Olojo carries a message of hope and renewal for humanity, particularly at a time when nations around the world are confronted with various challenges.
“This Olojo has given us a sample of appreciation. It is a global festival, a festival of thanksgiving. The day that the day comes out across the universe, we celebrate it here in the ancient city of Ile-Ife. It gives us hope that our condition as a nation is turning around,” the Ooni said.
The Ooni also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and offered ancestral prayers and blessings for the President, expressing hope for peace, stability and sustainable progress in Nigeria.
He urged political leaders to see their positions as opportunities to serve humanity, rather than avenues for personal enrichment or division, while calling for greater commitment to the national interest.
The 2026 Olojo Festival attracted a large gathering of traditional rulers, government officials, politicians, cultural enthusiasts, tourists and other dignitaries from different parts of Nigeria and beyond.
The influx of visitors also boosted commercial activities across Ile-Ife, with traders, hospitality operators, transporters, food vendors and other businesses recording increased patronage during the festival period.
The Olojo Festival remains one of the most significant traditional festivals associated with Ile-Ife and the Yoruba people. It is traditionally linked to the commemoration of the emergence of daylight after primordial darkness and is marked by spiritual rites, prayers and cultural activities seeking peace, prosperity and progress for the people.
The 2026 edition has once again placed Ile-Ife at the centre of global attention, providing an avenue for the preservation and promotion of Yoruba cultural heritage while strengthening the city’s position as a major destination for cultural tourism.
Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have attacked a military base in Garaha-Mojili, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Accounts of the attack obtained on Thursday evening indicated that the insurgents killed three soldiers and a forest guard.
It was gathered that the insurgents wounded 10 other soldiers and abducted two women.
According to report,the Chairman of Hong Local Government Area, Aliyu Yerima Sa’ad Hong, confirmed in a telephone interview that the wounded soldiers were receiving medical attention at the Federal Medical Centre in Hong town.
“The insurgents came around midnight on the eve of the 66th independence anniversary of Nigeria on motorcycles, with each motorcycle carrying heavily armed insurgents, and engaged the military in a fierce gun battle,” the chairman said.
He added that many insurgents were killed in the gun battle, while many others fled with gunshot wounds, although the bodies of the dead insurgents were quickly evacuated by their colleagues.
“Our hearts are heavy today. It is profoundly painful that our Independence Day was marked by tears instead of joy. However, the ultimate sacrifice of these officers will never be forgotten; they died protecting our homeland,” the Hong council boss said.
He disclosed that his council had facilitated the burial of the slain forest guard official and paid the medical bills of the wounded soldiers after visiting them at the hospital.
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