On June 13, 2026, the Katsina State Government and the Defence Headquarters officially confirmed the death of Major-General Rabe Abubakar (rtd).
On May 30, 2026, General Abubakar and his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, were ambushed and abducted by armed bandits along the Matazu axis of Katsina State while traveling to a wedding.
WITHIN NIGERIA takes a look at the retired military officers who had been caught on the crossfire of insecurity in the country.
Major General Idris Alkali
Mohammed Idris Alkali(1960-2018) was from Potiskum, Yobe state. He started his education at Central Primary School, Potiskum.
Mohammed also known as Nuri, was a retired Major General.
However, he was declared missing on 3 September 2018 and found dead on 31 October 2018. It would later be revealed after investigations that he was ambushed and killed by a group of angry mob along JOS bypass in Plateau state.
During his military career, he served as the Chief of Administration, Army Headquarters, Abuja.
Air Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh
Alex Sabundu Badeh (7 November 1957 – 18 December 2018) was an officer of the Nigerian Air Force.
He served as the 18th Chief of Air Staff and the 15th Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria.
He died from gunshot injuries sustained after his vehicle was attacked by unknown gunmen along Abuja-Keffi road on Tuesday, 18 December 2018.
Badeh was assassinated in an ambush along the Keffi – Abuja expressway on the evening of the 18th of December 2018.
However, on 23 January 2019, Badeh was laid to rest following his funeral at the Pentecostal Church, Air Force base in Abuja.
Air Vice-Marshal Muh’d Maisaka
Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Maisaka was a retired senior officer in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and a prominent medical doctor.
He was tragically assassinated alongside his grandson on November 8, 2021, by suspected bandits at his residence in the Rigasa area of Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
During his Military Career, he served as the Director of Medical Training Operations at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
He was also a former Director of the Nigerian Air Force Medical Services.
Following his retirement, he dedicated himself to public health and community service. He served as the proprietor and Managing Director of MSK Hospital in Rigasa, a facility he founded to provide medical care to the local community.
However, in the early hours of November 8, 2021, armed men stormed his home on Makarfi Road in Rigasa and shot him dead, along with his grandson.
The attack also left his gateman injured. At the time of his death, he had been undergoing rehabilitation following a medical condition.
Major General Richard Duru
Another army officer that has fallen into the evil hands of terrorists is Richard C. Duru.
He was abducted in Owerri, Imo State, in September 2023 after he was kidnapped along Bishops Court, Area 7, Orji/Uratta axis while driving in his black Mercedes-Benz.
However, he was later killed by his abductors despite a $50,000 ransom his family reportedly paid for his release.
Brigadier-Gen. Maharazu Tsiga
Brigadier-Gen Maharazu Tsiga was the former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Tsiga was abducted from his hometown Tsiga, in Bakori Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State on February 5, 2025, alongside nine other residents.
However, after spending 56 days in captivity, he regained his freedom.
His release comes after prolonged negotiations and the payment of unspecified amount as ransom by his family.
A close family member revealed that after the ransom was delivered, the kidnappers remained silent for a week before contacting the family and allowing Brig-Gen Tsiga to speak with them.
“The money was taken to them, and it was only after one week, on Tuesday, March 11, that they called, and we heard his voice,” the source said.
Colonel Joseph Ajanaku
The retired officer was kidnapped in the early hours of January 5, 2026 from his residence opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road, Bassa LGA, Plateau state.
However, troops of Operation Enduring Peace swiftly swung into action and rescued him.
Later in the same day about 1400 hours, the kidnappers contacted the wife of the abducted retired officer and demanded a ransom of N200 million.
Having observed the overwhelming presence and pressure from pursuing troops, the kidnappers issued threats to kill the victim if search operations were not halted.
According to the statement, troops of Sectors 1 and 3 of Operation Enduring Peace swiftly mobilised after receiving a distress call and trailed the kidnappers along their withdrawal route through the Wildlife Park.
Colonel Rabiu Garba
Colonel Rabiu Garba (rtd.) is a military and security administrator widely known for his involvement in regional security efforts and political roles in Zamfara State.
He served as the Commandant of the Zamfara state’s local security outfit until his suspension in April 2024 following a public media appearance where he criticized the state government’s poor funding and lack of logistical support for the guards.
Before appointment as security command, he was the Special Adviser (Political) to Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, in January 2024.
He previously served as Zamfara State Commissioner for Finance and Works between 2019 and 2023.
Nevertheless, in January 2023, Colonel Garba and his two children were abducted by bandits along the Gusau-Tsafe road in Zamfara State.
They were released several days later following the payment of a 10-million-naira ransom.
Brigadier-Gen Uwem Harold Udokwere
Brigadier General Uwem Harold Udokwere (rtd.) was a prominent Nigerian military veteran.
However, he tragically lost his life on June 22, 2024, during an armed robbery at his residence in Sunshine Homes Estate, Lokogoma, Abuja.
It was reported that armed assailants broke into his home around 3:00 a.m. During a struggle, he was fatally stabbed.
Before his tragic death, he served as the National Chairman of the Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces (REMNAF).
Major Joe Ajayi
Another horrorful incident occurred to Major Joe Ajayi(retd).
The 76 year-old retired Major was abducted from his residence in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State on May 21, 2025.
His kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N50 million and later reduced their demand to N10 million.
Sadly, despite the ransom payment, Ajayi did not live. His kidnappers later directed the family to where his remains could be found.
His body was recovered and deposited at the Kabba Specialist Hospital mortuary.
Major General Rabe Abubakar
The latest victim in this monstrous incident is retired Major General Rabe Abubakar.
He was a prominent Nigerian military officer and the former Director of Defence Information.
He equally served as the primary spokesperson for the Armed Forces of Nigeria between 2015 and 2017.
However, on May 30, 2026, General Abubakar and his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, were ambushed and abducted by armed bandits along the Matazu axis of Katsina State while traveling to a wedding.
On June 13, 2026, the Katsina State Government and the Defence Headquarters officially confirmed that he had died while being held in captivity.
Authorities cited medical complications, including diabetes and hypertension, as the primary cause of death.
As usual The Armed Forces of Nigeria released statements mourning his loss and offering condolences to his family, stating that operational resources had been actively deployed to secure his safe return.
At the time filing this report, the condition and whereabouts of his wife remain unknown, though security agencies have continued intensive operations to track down the perpetrators.
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