Growing insecurity in Nigeria has triggered widespread outrage following the deaths of six serving military commanders and one retired Major General to terrorism and bandit attacks since January 2026.
The worsening security situation has intensified concerns over the country’s prolonged battle against insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry, with both civilians and senior military officers increasingly becoming targets.
The first major loss occurred on February 16, 2026, when Boko Haram fighters attacked Mandaragirau community in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, killing Lieutenant Colonel O.C. Okolo. He was later buried in his hometown of Obinofia Ndiuno, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
On March 1, armed militants killed Major U.I. Mairiga, Commander of the Mayenti base in Borno State.
Just days later, on March 6, Lieutenant Colonel S.I. Iliyasu was killed after Boko Haram fighters attacked a battalion in Konduga, Borno State.
The attacks continued on March 9, when Lieutenant Colonel Umar Farouq lost his life during another insurgent assault on a military base in Borno.
In April, Colonel I.A. Mohammed, Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Army’s 242 Battalion in Monguno, Borno State, was killed in active service on April 13.
Similarly, Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah was reportedly gunned down by members of the Islamic State West Africa Province on April 9.
The most recent 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 along the Marabar Musawa Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area on May 30. A video later surfaced showing the couple relaying the kidnappers’ demands, including the release of three detained bandits identified as Sani, Aminu, and Nasiru.
In a statement, Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu, confirmed that the retired general died from complications related to diabetes and hypertension while in captivity.
The incident has sparked strong reactions across the country, with many Nigerians expressing anger over the government’s inability to secure his release.
Reacting to the development, Peter Obi described the death as a national tragedy.
“It is tragic that a man who served his fatherland with honour, rose through the ranks of the Nigerian Armed Forces, and retired after years of meritorious service, would meet such a heartbreaking end at the hands of criminal elements.
“His death is a national tragedy and a sobering indictment of the insecurity that has engulfed our country.
“When traders can no longer travel safely to markets, farmers cannot access their farms, communities live under constant fear, and even retired senior military officers are not spared from the menace of kidnapping and violent crime, it becomes evident that our nation is facing a grave security emergency”.
Obi urged the Federal Government to adopt a more proactive, intelligence driven, technology based, and coordinated strategy to address insecurity.
Former Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission chairman Sam Amadi also criticized the situation, describing it as a national disaster.
“Why should a retired General be held in the forest for weeks and the Nigerian state cannot rescue him and his wife?
“Where does the competence of the Tinubu government lie if it cannot rescue this retired General? This has happened too many times to become a national disaster.
“The Nigerian government is only able to do propaganda and arrest political enemies and activists”.
David Mark, National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, lamented that Nigerians are increasingly unsafe in their own country due to rising terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crime.
Meanwhile, Bola Ahmed Tinubu reaffirmed the government’s position against negotiating with terrorists.
According to a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the President said the terrorists may have “done their worst, the government will never bow to their demand to release their members held by our security agencies”.
Tinubu further warned that “bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror should now surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State.
“These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. And no mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians”.
