Author: The Whistler Newspaper

A newly released video has shown abducted retired army General, Abubakar Rabe, and his wife appealing to the government for help nearly a week after they were kidnapped in Katsina State.

The four-minute video, reportedly released by their captors and circulated on social media, showed the couple standing as they relayed the demands of the abductors.

In the footage, the general’s wife, Amina Abubakar, said the kidnappers were demanding the release of three detained individuals identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru, as well as the return of livestock allegedly seized from them.

According to her, two of the individuals were arrested in Jikamshi, while the third was arrested in Kano.

She appealed to the Katsina State Government and leaders of five local government areas to intervene and facilitate the fulfilment of the demands to secure their freedom.

Speaking briefly in the video, Rabe called for efforts to promote peace, saying the abductors had indicated a willingness to engage in dialogue and coexist peacefully.

Notably, no ransom demand was mentioned in the video.

The retired general and his wife were abducted last Saturday while travelling to Katsina alongside their driver, Abdullahi Sa’idu.

The attack occurred along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area, near Zakin Baure village, where armed men reportedly ambushed their vehicle and opened fire.

The driver was said to have sustained a gunshot wound to the hand during the incident but was later spared by the attackers.

Meanwhile, sources said a notorious bandit leader, Kachallah Muhammad, has established communication with members of the family since the abduction.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Katsina State Government nor security agencies had issued an official statement on the video released by the abductors.

Abducted General, Wife Plead For Freedom In Video is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) and disability advocates have expressed concern over the rising cost of assistive technologies in Nigeria.

The concerns were raised during the commemoration of the 2026 World Day for Assistive Technology, organised by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) at the School for Arabic Studies (SAS) in Kano.

They called on governments at all levels to make essential devices more affordable and accessible.

Participants at the event said many persons with disabilities are unable to access education, employment opportunities and digital services because they cannot afford assistive devices such as visual aids, Braille materials and mobility tools.

Speaking during a presentation on assistive technology for persons with albinism, Mariya Ishaq of the Albinism Association of Nigeria highlighted the importance of devices and protective materials that help improve learning, mobility and safety.

She identified commonly used aids as magnifying glasses, hand magnifiers, visual aids, sunshades, umbrellas, protective clothing and sunscreen creams, noting that such tools significantly improve the quality of life of persons with albinism.

However, participants lamented that the high cost of these devices places them beyond the reach of many vulnerable individuals, especially in rural communities.

Also speaking, the Vice Principal of the Special Education School (SES), Tudun Maliki, Ibrahim Abdulkarim, called for increased support for persons with disabilities through local production of assistive technologies.

According to him, producing such devices within Nigeria would reduce costs and lessen dependence on imported products.

He also drew attention to the shortage of Braille paper in special education schools and called for urgent intervention.

The stakeholders urged government authorities to increase budgetary allocations for assistive devices, remove import duties on relevant equipment, establish assistive technology resource centres and strengthen the implementation of disability-inclusive policies.

Earlier, CITAD’s PWD Clcoordinator, Hamza Aminu Fagge, described assistive technology as a vital tool for promoting inclusion and equal participation of persons with disabilities in society.

He said assistive devices play a crucial role in enabling persons with disabilities to access education, employment, governance and other opportunities, stressing that many remain excluded due to accessibility challenges.

Persons with disabilities, advocates call for cheaper assistive devices across Nigeria

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has cited the courageous leadership, vision and political will demonstrated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as responsible for bridging Nigeria’s longstanding development gap. Speaking at the 36th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Port Harcourt on Saturday, where he delivered a lecture titled “Leadership and Infrastructure […]

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‎The Anambra State Government has commenced the issuance of demolition notices to more than 500 owners and occupiers of illegal, dilapidated, and unsafe structures across Nnewi.

This is part of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s ambitious urban renewal programme aimed at transforming the commercial city.

The governor had days back visited Nnewi on inspection, where he disclosed his plans to rebuild the city to match its status as an industrial city.

‎The issuance of demolition notices, led by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, marks the first of fulfilling the promise.

The regeneration initiative, which the governor described as comprehensive, is designed to restore order, improve infrastructure, and reposition Nnewi as a modern industrial and commercial hub.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chijioke Oseloka Ojukwu, said the affected structures include shanties erected beneath high-tension power lines, buildings constructed without approved setbacks, unauthorised developments, filling stations, hotels, and other decrepit structures considered hazardous to public safety and urban development.

‎He said: “The targeted locations span major corridors and strategic areas of the city, including the Nnewi Triangle axis, Hundred Foot Road, Post Office area, Anaedo Road, Igwe Orizu Road, Ezemewi Road, Nkwo axis, and sections of the Nnewi–Owerri Road right-of-way and also other major Trunk A road corridors in Otolo, Umudim, and Uruagu.

“This action is in line with Governor Soludo’s vision of building a cleaner, safer, and more orderly urban environment. This will lay the foundation for the comprehensive regeneration of Nnewi and the restoration of its position as a premier industrial and commercial hub.

‎Ojukwu said the notices serve as a formal warning to owners of structures obstructing the right-of-way of the newly dualized Nnewi–Owerri Road and other areas earmarked for redevelopment under the state’s urban transformation agenda.

‎Soludo issues demolition notices to 500 illegal, unsafe property owners

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC on Friday escaped a mob attack in the popular Ladipo Market, Lagos State.

Igbokwe narrated the incident in a video he posted on his official Facebook page on Saturday.

The APC Chieftain said he was in the market to get some vehicle spare parts to fix his car when some youths identified him and angrily mobilised to attack him.

Igbokwe said, when the mobs were moving close to his vehicle, he decided to take cover in his friend’s shop before the leadership of the market came to his rescue.

He said, “Yesterday, I went to Ladipo Market to get some spare parts for my vehicle. When I went looking for the parts, some people started calling my name, pointing fingers at me. I ignored them and went in search of what I wanted to get.

“I got the parts and I went to my vehicle to fix it, before I knew it, the Ladipo boys started gathering, they were shouting, “this is the Igbokwe, this is the Igbokwe, so you can come this market”?

“I initially ignored them but they started coming and coming, so I moved away to my friend’s shop. My friend gathered the leadership of the market,, and then when I came out, people gathered and started saying all manner of thinga s but I didn’t say anything, I just drove away.

“I came to Facebook this morning and saw a post that Joe Igbokwe was beaten. I was not beaten. This is me. There are things you cannot do here, you can go to the Southeast and be doing all the rubbish you have been doing there but not in Lagos.

“I pray that it doesn’t happen again. I know what to do”.

Video.

APC chieftain, Joe Igbokwe escapes mob attack in Lagos market [VIDEO]

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has unveiled the schedule for the quarter-final stage of the women’s President Federation Cup, with matches scheduled to take place on June 18, 2026, across different venues in the country.

Among the standout fixtures, Rivers United Women will face FC Robo Queens in Benin City, while Heartland Queens will take on Ibom Angels in Aba.

Sunshine Queens and Confluence Queens will battle for a place in the semi-finals in Benin City, while former champions Edo Queens are set for a highly anticipated encounter against Nasarawa Amazons in Anyigba.

All four teams will be aiming to grab victories and move a step closer to lifting one of Nigeria’s most prestigious domestic football trophies.

Complete Schedule:

June 18, 2026 – Rivers United Women vs FC Robo Queens – Venue: Benin City, June 18, 2026 – 4PM.

June 18, 2026 – Heartland Queens vs Ibom Angels — Venue: Aba – 4PM

June 18, 2026 – Sunshine Queens vs Confluence Queens — Venue: Benin City – 1PM

June 18, 2026 – Edo Queens vs Nasarawa Amazons — Venue: Anyigba, -4PM

The winners of the quarter-final ties will advance to the semi-finals as the race for the 2026 President Federation Cup title hots up.

NFF Unveils 2026 Women’s Federation Cup Fixtures is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Saturday conducted the Year 2026 Second Quarter Route March Exercise simultaneously across all its commands and formations nationwide to boost the combat readiness of its personnel. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the exercise at Headquarters NAF Camp Abuja, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday […]

The post NAF conducts nationwide route march to boost combat readiness appeared first on Tribune Online.

Nigerian Breweries Plc has announced the commencement of entries for the 12th edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year (MToY) award competition. The annual award aims to identify, reward, and celebrate exemplary teachers in public and private secondary schools nationwide. For the first time, the grand prize winner will receive a brand-new Honda HR-V […]

The post Nigerian Breweries flags off 2026 teacher of the year award contest appeared first on Tribune Online.

Retired Major General Abubakar Rabe and his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, have appealed to government authorities and community leaders to intervene in securing their freedom after spending a week in captivity following their abduction in Katsina State.

The appeal was contained in a four-minute video released by their abductors and circulated on social media on Saturday.

In the footage, the couple appeared standing and speaking on behalf of their captors, who demanded the release of three detained individuals identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru, as well as the return of livestock allegedly confiscated from them.

Speaking in the video, Hajiya Amina said the abductors were seeking the release of the three individuals, adding that two were reportedly arrested in Jikamshi while the third was apprehended in Kano.

“We are appealing to the Katsina State Government and leaders of the affected local government areas to help address these demands so that we can regain our freedom,” she said.

Major General Rabe, who spoke briefly, called for efforts to promote peace and dialogue.

“The people holding us have expressed a desire for peaceful coexistence. I appeal to all concerned to work towards peace and ensure that this matter is resolved amicably,” he said.

Notably, no monetary ransom demand was mentioned in the video.

As of press time, neither the Katsina State Government nor the security agencies had issued an official statement regarding the footage or the demands made by the abductors.

The retired army officer, his wife and their driver, Abdullahi Sa’idu, were kidnapped last Saturday while travelling to Katsina. Their vehicle was reportedly ambushed near Zakin Baure village along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area.

Witnesses said armed men suspected to be bandits emerged from hiding, blocked the road and opened fire on the vehicle, forcing it to stop. The driver was reportedly shot in the hand during the attack but was later spared by the gunmen.

Sources familiar with the incident said a notorious bandit leader, Kachallah Muhammad, had since established contact with the family of the retired general.

The development has heightened concerns over insecurity in parts of Katsina State, where armed groups continue to carry out kidnappings and attacks on travellers and rural communities.

Kidnapped retired General Rabe, wife plead for rescue  in video released by captors

The Zamfara State Multilateral and Donor Agencies has hosted an engagement meeting with stakeholders on Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL), focused on expanding access to learning for out-of-school and vulnerable children in the state. Speaking during the event, the Executive Secretary of the Zamfara Agency for Mass Education, Zuwaira Abdu Gusau, said the TaRL […]

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