The Katsina State Government has confirmed the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who died while in the custody of bandits, describing the incident as a tragic loss to the state and the nation.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Muazu, and made available to journalists.

The government said the retired military officer died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension while in captivity.

According to the statement, several efforts were made by the state government and security agencies to secure his release, but the attempts were unsuccessfComrade Hassan Taiwo.


The statement read, “The Katsina State Government, with a heavy heart and deep sense of loss, wishes to inform the general public of the tragic passing of Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar.

“It is with profound sadness that we confirm the General’s death while in the bandits’ captivity. Despite the relentless and concerted efforts of the State Government and various Security Agencies to secure his safe release, the situation ended in this tragedy.

“The deceased Retired General died a natural death from complications of diabetes and hypertension.

“His abduction and subsequent death are not only a loss to his family and Katsina State but a monumental loss to the entire country.”

According to the statement, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda described the incident as a “dark moment,” adding that it underscored the urgent need for a stronger and more coordinated response to insecurity.

He extended condolences to the family of the late General and assured that the government remains committed to working with security agencies to combat banditry in the state.

“The Katsina State Government remains committed to working with the Federal Government and security forces to ensure that those responsible for this heinous act are brought to justice. We assure the citizens of Katsina State that our resolve to eliminate banditry and ensure the safety of all residents remains unshaken.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family during this difficult time. May the soul of the departed Retired Major General Rabe Abdulakdir rest in eternal peace”, the statement added.

Recall that the abductors of Rabe and his wife demanded the release of three detained fighters and the return of livestock allegedly seized during security operations as conditions for the couple’s freedom.

Abubakar was abducted alongside his wife on May 30 while travelling through Katsina State.

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, who is facing trial in Britain on rape charges, has been denied a visa to enter Canada to play for Ghana in the World Cup, FIFA said on Friday.

“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s Team Base Camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government,” world football’s governing body said.

FIFA said it was “not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas”.

“As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country,” it added.

It is believed that Partey will, however, be eligible to play in Ghana’s subsequent Group L games against England and Croatia, which will both take place in the United States.

Partey, who plays for Spanish side Villarreal, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022.

The 32-year-old is due to stand trial next year.



AFP

Human rights advocate and lawyer, Chidi Odinkalu, has argued that comparing the failures of civilian rule to military rule amounts to “gaslighting” Nigerians, insisting that citizens deserve better democratic governance rather than being forced to choose between two undesirable options.

Odinkalu spoke during a special Democracy Day conversation on Channels Television themed “The Next Generation: From Struggles To Stewardship,” and held on Friday to commemorate the June 12 Democracy Day celebration.

While firmly rejecting military intervention in politics, Odinkalu disagreed with the popular assertion that “the worst of civilian rule is better than military rule.”

The professor argued that Nigerians should not be forced into a false choice between ineffective civilian governance and military dictatorship.

“I absolutely do not. I think that is gaslighting people who want to address the problems with civilian rule. The worst of civilian rule is the worst of civilian rule, and we should not create this Manichaeanism of thinking that we’ve got to choose between the worst of civilian rule or soldiers.

“Nobody deserves the worst of civilian rule. Let’s not gaslight citizens. There is something fundamentally wrong with civilian rule,” he said.

“Why can’t we get the best of civilian rule? What’s wrong with that?” the professor asked.

Reflecting on his personal experience, the former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission said he lived through military rule and had no desire to see its return.

“Military rule is not folklore to me. I experienced it very much. I was born into military rule and into a war and even internal displacement. I lived through it. I lived in the gutters of Ikorodu Road, doing all of that and worse,” he said.

Nigeria has experienced alternating periods of civilian and military governments since gaining independence in 1960, with military regimes dominating much of the period between 1966 and part of 1999 before the country returned to democratic rule in May 1999.

In recent years, economic hardship and insecurity have fuelled public frustration, prompting occasional pro-coup sentiments in some quarters.

However, many political leaders, former military officers and analysts have warned against military rule.

Last year, authorities uncovered and investigated an alleged coup plot involving senior military officers, leading to arrests and ongoing military proceedings.