NIGERIA RECORDS LOSS OF SEVEN MILITARY COMMANDERS AMID WORSENING SECURITY CRISIS
Read Time:3 Minute, 19 Second
By:Tajudeen Aminat
Nigeria’s worsening security crisis has claimed the lives of at least six serving military commanders and one retired Major General since the beginning of 2026, underscoring the growing threat posed by insurgents and bandits across the country.
The decade-long battle against terrorism and criminal violence has intensified in recent months, with a surge in killings and kidnappings for ransom. While civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence, military personnel have increasingly become targets of deadly attacks.
On February 16, 2026, Boko Haram insurgents attacked Mandaragirau community in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, killing Lieutenant Colonel O.C. Okolo. He was later laid to rest in his hometown of Obinofia Ndiuno, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, in April.
Less than a month later, on March 1, Major U.I. Mairiga, commander of the Mayenti military base in Borno State, was killed during another insurgent attack.
The casualties continued on March 6 when Lieutenant Colonel S.I. Iliyasu lost his life during a Boko Haram assault on a battalion in Konduga, Borno State. Three days later, Lieutenant Colonel Umar Farouq was killed in a separate attack on a military formation in the state.
In April, Colonel I.A. Mohammed, Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Army’s 242 Battalion in Monguno, was killed while on active duty. Earlier that month, Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah was also reportedly killed in an attack attributed to fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The latest tragedy involved retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who died while in captivity after being abducted by terrorists in Katsina State.
Abubakar and his wife were kidnapped on May 30 along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area. A video later surfaced online showing the couple relaying the demands of their captors, including the release of three detained bandits and seized livestock.
In the footage, Abubakar’s wife appealed to the Katsina State Government and leaders of five local government areas to intervene and meet the kidnappers’ demands to secure their freedom.
However, the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu, announced on Saturday that the retired general had died in captivity due to complications arising from diabetes and hypertension.
The development sparked widespread reactions from Nigerians, many of whom expressed frustration over the government’s inability to secure the retired officer’s release.
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, described Abubakar’s death as a national tragedy and a reflection of the country’s deepening insecurity.
According to Obi, it is alarming that a retired senior military officer who dedicated his life to defending the nation could fall victim to criminal elements. He urged the Federal Government to adopt a more proactive, intelligence-driven and technology-based approach to tackling insecurity.
Former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, also condemned the incident, describing the country’s security situation as a national disaster.
He questioned why a retired general could remain in captivity for weeks without being rescued, arguing that such incidents highlight serious gaps in the government’s security response.
Similarly, National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, lamented that Nigerians now face growing threats from terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Mark noted that insecurity has persisted for more than a decade and called on citizens to unite against criminal activities threatening the nation’s stability.
Responding to the development, President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating terrorism and banditry.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the President declared that the government would not yield to demands for the release of detained terrorists in exchange for kidnapped victims.
Tinubu warned that bandits, kidnappers and terror sponsors must either surrender or face the full force of the law, stressing that no mercy would be shown to those responsible for violent crimes against Nigerians.
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