A retired Major General of the Nigerian military, Rabe Abubakar, has reportedly been killed while in captivity after being abducted by bandits in Katsina State.

The death of Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, was disclosed by the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Mu’azu Danmusa on Saturday, according to reports.

Danmusa said, “security authorities had received information indicating that the retired military officer was killed by his abductors” .

However, he noted that security operatives are yet to recover his body as efforts anre ongoing to locate the remains.

Major General Abubakar and his wife were abducted by armed bandits along the Matazu axis of Katsina State on May 30 while travelling through the area.

His abduction had sparked widespread concern, with the Katsina State Government and security agencies previously expressing optimism that he would be rescued alive.

Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has said that the Commission commemorates June 12 as a reminder that credible elections are a fundamental human right, not a privilege.

He said that the June 12, 1993 election remains Nigeria’s clearest proof that free, fair, and transparent polls are possible when institutions respect the will of the people.

He noted that Prof. Humphrey Nwosu’s Option A4 and the Modified Open Ballot system demonstrated that electoral integrity could be achieved through sincerity of the Electoral Management Body, openness and fidelity to the law.

The Number One Human Rights Officer in Nigeria stressed that the right to participate in government through free elections is protected under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

According to a statement by Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Ojukwu stated that voter suppression, vote buying, electoral violence, and result manipulation are not merely procedural flaws but direct violations of citizens’ civil and political rights.

He expressed concern that three decades later, these violations continued to undermine public trust, weaken accountability, and erode the dignity of Nigerian voters.

Chief Ojukwu added that when elections lack integrity, the rights to expression, association, participation and peaceful assembly are also threatened.

The Executive Secretary called on INEC, political parties, security agencies, the judiciary, civil society, and the media to uphold neutrality, transparency, and accountability.

He affirmed that the NHRC will intensify its monitoring of electoral processes, document violations, and pursue remedies for Nigerians and victims in line with its mandate.

He urged the National Assembly to strengthen laws safeguarding electoral independence and access to justice.

He concluded that institutionalizing electoral integrity is essential to realizing the right to free and fair elections in Nigeria, and that the NHRC stands ready to work with Government and all stakeholders to make credible elections a lived reality for every citizen.

A large coalition of civil society organisations, labour groups, youth movements, community associations, and faith-based bodies took to the streets of Lagos on Friday in a major protest over worsening insecurity and the rising cost of living across Nigeria.

The demonstration drew participants from different parts of the state who say living conditions have become increasingly unbearable for ordinary citizens.

The protesters gathered at Ikeja Under Bridge, a major convergence point in the state capital, before marching in an organised procession.

They demanded urgent intervention from the Federal Government, insisting that the economic situation and security challenges require immediate and practical solutions.

According to the coalition, the action was triggered by what they described as escalating hardship, deepening insecurity, and policy decisions that continue to weigh heavily on households and small businesses.

They argued that many Nigerians are struggling to cope with inflation, unemployment pressures, and rising transport and food costs.

Protesters along Ikeja Underbridge
During the protest, demonstrators carried placards with strong messages directed at government authorities. Some of the inscriptions read: “End all anti-people policies now,” “End hunger,” “Free all captives now,” “Decent minimum wage,” “No democracy without security,” “For a living wage and mass job creation, and “Tinubu has failed Nigeria.” The crowd repeatedly called for accountability and improved governance.

However, the organisers urged both federal and state authorities to prioritise citizens’ welfare, stressing that security and economic stability must go hand in hand. They also called for urgent policy reviews aimed at reducing inflationary pressure and creating employment opportunities, especially for young people.