General News
Wike Confirms Appointment of 1,659 FCTA Workers Employed In 2016, 2019
By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the confirmation of appointment of 1,659 staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The 1,659 whose appointments were confirmed were among the 2,281, who sat for the confirmation examination conducted by the FCT Civil Service Commission on February 28, 2026.
In a statement on Sunday, the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, quoted Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission, Emeka Ezeh, as saying that some of the workers who sat for the confirmation were employed as far back as 2016 and 2019.
“2, 512 candidates were invited to present themselves for confirmation examination but only 2,281 turned up for the examination.
“A total of 224 officers were absent, fueling suspiction that they could be ghost workers.
“Some of the workers, who sat for the confirmation were employed as far back as 2016 and 2019, while others were employed shortly before Wike assumed office in August 2023,” he said.
The FCT Civil Service Commission has also concluded plans to conduct both the 2025 and 2026 promotions as approved by the Minister and in line with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to renewing the Hope of FCTA workforce.
Candidates are advised to visit the Commission’s website, www.fctcsc.abj.gov.ng to check the status of their names.
General News
Family Rejects Katsina Govt’s Claim: Retd Gen. Rabe Abubakar Did Not Have Diabetes, Son Insists
Late general’s son says cause of death was likely heart attack; mother still in bandits’ custody despite social media reports
By Felix Umande
Contradicting the Katsina State Government, the family of late retired Major General Rabe Abubakar has rejected claims that he died of diabetes and hypertension while in bandits’ captivity, insisting the retired officer had no history of those ailments.
In an interview with newsmen on Sunday, Isyaka Rabe, one of the late general’s sons, dismissed the government’s account as inaccurate.
The Katsina State Government had on Saturday confirmed Abubakar’s death and attributed it to complications from diabetes and hypertension.
“I truly don’t believe it was diabetes. In our view, it was a heart attack. If you look at it, his legs were restrained. Moreover, some people said that he was walking, and he didn’t die, so God knows, since only God is the knower,” Isyaka said.
He also addressed speculation that the general may have died from a snake bite after a video reportedly released by the kidnappers circulated online. “Some people believed the late general may have died from a snake bite, based on a video reportedly released by kidnappers. However, he said only God knows the actual cause of his father’s death,” Isyaka stated.
Isyaka said he had no information on how his father’s remains were recovered. He prayed for the repose of the late general’s soul, describing him as a deeply religious, peace-loving man who lived a simple life and “died a hero.”
“When I announced the time for my father’s funeral prayer, many people began asking how the body was recovered. I told them I did not know and that they should direct such questions to the government,” he said.
The son also debunked reports circulating on social media that his mother, who was abducted alongside the retired general, had been released.
“Whoever says she has been released, I, Isyaka Rabe, son of Major General Rabe, I say that is a lie; she has not been released. Right now, she is still in their custody,” he declared.
Late Maj. Gen. Abubakar was kidnapped alongside his wife on May 30 while traveling through Katsina State. On June 6, the bandits released a four-minute video showing the couple appealing to the Katsina State Government for the release of three detained fighters and the return of livestock allegedly seized during security operations as conditions for their freedom.
General News
Late Major General Rabe Abubakar’s Wife Released
–Terrorists deliver body to family for burial
–Son rejects diabetes and hypertension claim by Katsina govt
By Michael Lim, Abuja
Following the suspected murder of her husband in captivity, the wife of late Major General Rabe Abubakar (RTD) has been released by the bandits who abducted her and her late husband. They were abducted in Katsina state on 30th May, 2026.
Major General Rabe reportedly died while in the custody of the bandits due to what the Katsina state government said was complications from diabetes and hypertension.
After his death, reports have it that the abductors boldly came unchallenged, handed over the body of the late General to the family and left.
Meanwhile, son of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd), Isyaka, has rejected the Katsina State Government’s claim that his father died from diabetes and hypertension complications while in captivity, insisting the retired General had no history of either condition.
In an interview with Deutsche Welle yesterday, the bereaved son described reports attributing his father’s death to diabetes as inaccurate.
He noted that some people, citing the last video released by the kidnappers, believe the General may have died from a snake bite.
Stressing that only God knows the actual cause of his father’s death, he added: “I truly don’t believe it was diabetes. In our view, it was a heart attack. If you look at it, his legs were restrained. Moreover, some people said that he was walking, and he didn’t die, so God knows.”
While praying for the repose of his father’s soul, Isyaka described him as a deeply religious, peace-loving man who lived a simple life.
General News
Anambra Police Arrest Two for Fake Alcoholic Drinks Production
By Seyi Balogun
Credible intelligence has enabled the Anambra State Police Command to arrest two suspects allegedly involved in the production and distribution of adulterated alcoholic beverages in the state.
The suspects, identified as Ikechukwu Okeke, 42, and Okeke Chukwuemeka, 38, were arrested in the early hours of Monday by operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad following credible intelligence received by the police.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the arrest of the suspects saying they are currently in police custody. Exhibits recovered from them have been secured for forensic examination and evidential purposes.
Ikenga added that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were members of a syndicate specialising in the adulteration and counterfeiting of various alcoholic beverages.
Items recovered from the suspects include Seaman’s Schnapps, McDowell’s, Eagle Schnapps, Elliot Hot Drinks and Baileys Fresh Cream, as well as dangerous chemicals allegedly used in the production process.
According to Ikenga: “Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command attached to the Rapid Response Squad/VCRU have arrested two suspects allegedly involved in the production and distribution of adulterated alcoholic beverages in the state.
“The suspects, identified as Ikechukwu Okeke, 42, and Okeke Chukwuemeka, 38, were arrested in the early hours of June 15, 2026, following credible intelligence received by the police.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are members of a syndicate specialising in the adulteration and counterfeiting of various alcoholic beverages.
“During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to the crime and subsequently led operatives to their mini-factory.
“At the facility, police operatives recovered several suspected adulterated alcoholic products, including Seaman’s Schnapps, McDowell’s, Eagle Schnapps, Elliot Hot Drinks and Baileys Fresh Cream, as well as dangerous chemicals allegedly used in the production process.
“Also recovered were numerous empty bottles, labels and other packaging materials intended for the continued manufacture of the counterfeit drinks.
