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Tragedy struck in northern Nigeria following reports that two abducted victims, including a former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Koko/Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State, have died while in captivity.

The deceased, Alhaji Muhammadu Mai Barga Besse, who previously served as APC chairman in the local government area, was reportedly held hostage by armed kidnappers for an extended period before his death. Another victim who was abducted alongside him was also confirmed dead, although his identity had not been officially disclosed at the time of filing this report.

The sad development comes months after disturbing videos emerged online showing the victims in dire conditions while being held captive in the notorious Birnin Gwari forest.

The footage sparked widespread concern among family members, political associates and members of the public who called for urgent intervention to secure their release.

Despite efforts made during their captivity, both men were reportedly never reunited with their families before their deaths.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the persistent security challenges facing communities across northern Nigeria.

The Birnin Gwari axis, located along the Kaduna-Niger corridor, has become one of the country’s most dangerous regions, with criminal gangs and armed bandits frequently carrying out kidnappings, attacks on villages and other violent crimes.

Residents and stakeholders have repeatedly called on security agencies to intensify operations in the area and dismantle criminal hideouts within the vast forest, which has long served as a sanctuary for armed groups.

News of the deaths has generated an outpouring of grief on social media, with many Nigerians expressing sadness over the fate of the victims and urging authorities to strengthen efforts against kidnapping and banditry.

Popular social media personality Denglishalhajii also shared the development on Instagram, mourning the victims and drawing attention to the growing insecurity affecting many parts of the region.

The deaths of the former APC chairman and his fellow captive have further underscored the human cost of the country’s security crisis, leaving families, friends and political associates in mourning while raising renewed concerns about the safety of citizens in vulnerable communities.

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President Bola Tinubu has asked the senate to approve a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture.

The request was contained in a letter dated June 15, 2026, and read on the floor of the senate on Tuesday by Godswill Akpabio.

In the correspondence, Tinubu said the proposed Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) State Police Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the 1999 constitution to provide a legal framework for the creation of state police services.

The president said the bill is designed to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges by introducing a dual policing structure that would allow both federal and state policing systems to operate within a constitutional framework.

According to him, the proposal builds on previous legislative efforts by both chambers of the national assembly and contains additional safeguards to ensure effective implementation.

“This bill builds on the significant work already done in this regard by the House of Representatives and the Senate, and incorporates additional safeguards to ensure that the creation of a dual policing structure to address our nation’s evolving national security challenges, will be achieved quickly and effectively to the benefit of all Nigerians,” Tinubu said.

The president described the proposed legislation as a key component of his administration’s broader plan to reform Nigeria’s security system and improve the protection of lives and property.

“The proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganize Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens, and I’m confident that the Senate will act quickly to consider and pass this bill,” he added.

Read Also: Amnesty International Demands Immediate Release of Omoyele Sowore, Condemns Detention

Tinubu urged lawmakers to give the proposal expeditious consideration.

Following the reading of the letter, Akpabio referred the bill to the senate committee on constitution review for further legislative action.

The committee was directed to report back to the chamber on the next legislative day.

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The Nigerian Senate has fixed Wednesday for the passage of the state police bill.

The lawmakers had cut short their recess to consider the bill, which seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution and decentralise Nigeria’s policing system in response to worsening security challenges

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday transmitted an executive version of the bill to the Senate through a letter dated June 15, 2026.

The proposed legislation seeks to establish a dual policing system in which federal and state police forces operate alongside each other.

At the plenary on Tuesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the proposal as a key step towards restructuring Nigeria’s security framework.

The proposed legislation was immediately referred to the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, which is expected to present its report for consideration and voting.

Akpabio called on senators to be present for the exercise, stressing the need for broad support to secure its passage.

“Every senator should endeavor to come tomorrow to be part of this exercise.

“We are going to be live tomorrow and your constituents will be seeing what you are doing,” he added.