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NHRC boss Ojukwu condemns death of Gen. Rabe Abubakar, backs state police to address insecurity
Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has condemned in the strongest terms the abduction and subsequent death of Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar while in bandits’ captivity, describing it as a grave violation of the right to life and personal security that demands urgent and systemic responses.
Ojukwu said the incident represents a disturbing escalation of insecurity in the country and a direct assault on the dignity and sanctity of human life.
A statement signed by the Director Corporate Affairs and External Linkages Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, quoted Ojukwu as saying the Commission received with deep sorrow the news of the General’s death, which occurred while he was held captive, despite reported efforts by the Katsina State Government and security agencies to secure his release.
He noted that every person, regardless of status or background, is entitled to the protection of the right to life, liberty, and security of person under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a party.
He stressed that the abduction and death of a retired senior military officer underscores the extent to which insecurity has penetrated all levels of society, leaving citizens, including highly placed individuals, vulnerable to criminal violence.
The Executive Secretary expressed concern that schools, homes, and communities are no longer safe, and that the persistent threat of banditry and kidnapping continues to erode public confidence in the state’s duty to protect.
He stated that the Commission views the killing as not only a loss to the bereaved family and Katsina State, but a national tragedy that reflects the urgent need for a coordinated and rights-based response to insecurity.
The NHRC boss said the Commission believes that the conversation around the establishment of state police deserves serious and immediate consideration as part of a broader strategy to address insecurity.
He explained that decentralizing policing could bring security closer to communities, improve response time, and enhance local intelligence gathering, provided that such structures are created with strong legal frameworks, civilian oversight, and adherence to human rights standards to prevent abuse and ensure accountability.
The Learned Silk called on the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure that a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation is carried out to identify and bring to justice all those responsible for the heinous act.
He emphasized that accountability is essential to upholding the rule of law and to deter further violations, and urged authorities to strengthen measures for the protection of civilians while exploring structural reforms that can improve security outcomes nationwide.
The Commission extended its condolences to the family of the late General, the Government of Katsina State, and the Nigerian people. Dr. Ojukwu affirmed that the NHRC remains committed to monitoring the situation and to advocating for policies and actions that safeguard the right to life and security for all Nigerians.
The Enugu State Government has suspended His Royal Majesty, Igwe Eze William Ezugwu, the traditional ruler of Ibagwa Ogbozalla Opi Autonomous Community, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu state.
The state government accused Igwe Ezugwu of violating provisions of the state’s Traditional Rulers Law.
In a letter of suspension dated September 24, the Enugu State Government cited his alleged failure to constitute his cabinet, failure to establish a Town Union governing body, and persistent conduct deemed inconsistent with the laws governing traditional rulers in the state.
The suspension comes barely three weeks after Igwe William Ezugwu received NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi at his palace in Opi, Nsukka LGA, where he reportedly blessed Obi’s presidential ambition.
The Deputy Commander of Operation Rainbow, CSP (Chief Superintendent of Police) Dennis David Babale, has been killed after gunmen suspected to be Fulani Bandits ambushed personnel of the security outfit along the Bokkos-Barkin Ladi road in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Operation Rainbow is a State-backed community security and intelligence-gathering outfit in Plateau State, Nigeria, originally established in 2010 under former Governor Jonah Jang and recently revamped by Governor Caleb Mutfwang to combat rural violence and beef up grassroots security.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 4:06 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 when the personnel, travelling in a Toyota Hilux vehicle, came under attack by unidentified gunmen.
Troops of Sector 4, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), responded to a distress report and moved to the location of the attack.
Sources told reporters that Babale sustained gunshot wounds during the ambush and was evacuated to the General Hospital, Barkin Ladi, for medical attention.
Following the attack, troops, working alongside personnel of other security agencies, launched offensive operations and a manhunt for the assailants within the general area.
Security forces have intensified efforts to track the attackers and prevent further attacks along the route.
Director General/CEO of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the World Meteorological Organization, Prof. Charles Anosike and other Chief Executive Officers of similar agencies across the world, have concluded a one week high level dialogue on Climate Science Information for Climate Finance and the 53rd Senior Official Field Exchange (SOFE) in Beijing, China.
The event which was hosted by World Meteorological Organization (WMO), took place from September 14 to 18, 2026 and featured discussions on: strengthening the role and leadership development of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in mobilizing climate finance; aligning scientific and technical capabilities with risk-informed, people-centred early warning systems; shifting from technical assistance to sustainable investments by expanding practical cooperation between meteorological frameworks and multilateral financing entities; and support to NMHSs leadership on strengthening strategic thinking and fostering productive partnerships.
Held back-to-back with the High-level dialogue was the 53rd Senior Official Field Exchange to Fujian Province for first-hand exposure to the implementation of Multi-hazard, Alert, Zero-gap and Universal (MAZU) platform – China’s AI-driven meteorological early warning solution in support of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative and disaster risk reduction practices through technical exchanges, field visits and peer learning.
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