As Insecurity Continues to Hit Retired Generals

Nigeria's pervasive insecurity continues to claim victims, with retired military generals now increasingly targeted despite their decades of service and gallantry. These high-ranking officers, who dedicated their lives to national defense, are finding themselves vulnerable to the same bandits, terrorists, and militia groups that plague the country.

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While Nigerian soldiers have not been spared in this wave of violence, oftentimes losing their lives on the battlefields with terrorists, ironically retired officers who are supposed to be enjoying their peace, have also fallen victim.

Incidents of abduction, killing, and harassment of retired generals are becoming alarmingly common. These former officers, often living on pensions, are forced to endure the trauma of kidnapping or pay exorbitant ransoms from their limited resources. In some cases, they rely on financial assistance from friends and family to secure their release or simply to survive.

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They are either killed, tortured, harassed or forced to pay ransom from the little money they have left. In some cases, they have to rely on contributions from friends and loved ones to stay alive.

Recent cases highlight the severity of the situation. Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, and his wife were reportedly abducted on May 30, 2026, while traveling towards Katsina. Their whereabouts remain unknown, and the driver escaped with gunshot wounds. Similarly, Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga, former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, was abducted in February 2025. Despite his family paying a ransom, he was held captive for 56 days, with kidnappers demanding more money.

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At the time of filing this report, nothing has been heard from him.

These incidents underscore a disturbing trend where even those who served the nation's military are not safe. The proliferation of non-state actors and the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria have created an environment where retired officers, who should be enjoying their peace, are instead living in fear and facing constant threats.

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There were conflicting figures regarding the ransom paid earlier. While some claimed the sum of N60 million was paid, sources indicated that the actual money paid for his release is thrice higher than that.