Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the death of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe in the custody of bandits. He described the incident as a tragic reflection of the worsening security situation in the country.
In a statement issued to journalists yesterday in Abuja by his media office, Atiku said the death of the former director of Defence Information underscored what he described as the federal government’s failure to adequately protect Nigerians from the growing threat of banditry and terrorism.
The former vice president said General Rabe’s death demonstrates that insecurity has reached a level where even those who once served at the highest levels of the nation’s security establishment are no longer safe.
“It is with profound sadness and deep anger that we mourn the death of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe, a distinguished former Army Spokesperson and Director of Defence Information, who tragically passed away while in the captivity of bandits,” Atiku stated.
“General Rabe devoted the better part of his life to defending Nigeria. He served this country with honour, courage, and distinction. That such a man could end up dying in the hands of criminals is both heartbreaking and unacceptable.”
General Rabe was abducted on May 30, 2026, alongside his wife in Katsina State. While reports indicate that the retired military officer died in captivity after suffering complications linked to diabetes and hypertension, his wife is reportedly still being held by the kidnappers.
Atiku described the development as a painful blow to Nigeria’s security architecture, warning that criminal groups appear increasingly emboldened while citizens continue to face growing threats to their safety.
According to him, the tragedy goes beyond the loss of a retired military officer and represents a broader national crisis in which citizens are increasingly left vulnerable to criminal elements.
The ADC presidential candidate also expressed concern over reports of terrorist attacks on Kautikari community in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, where primary and secondary school facilities were reportedly set ablaze.
He said the attack revived painful memories of the 2014 abduction of more than 270 schoolgirls from Chibok, an incident that drew international attention and became a symbol of Nigeria’s struggle against insurgency.
“Chibok is not just a location; it is a national scar,” Atiku said, noting that attacks on schools and educational institutions represent an assault on the future of the country.
He argued that the death of General Rabe and the reported burning of schools in Chibok on the same day highlight what he described as a gradual erosion of security gains achieved through years of sacrifice by military personnel and ordinary citizens.
Atiku further lamented the continued captivity of dozens of schoolchildren and teachers reportedly abducted in recent weeks, saying the situation should serve as a wake-up call for the government to take more decisive action against insecurity.
“Every school burned by terrorists is an attack on Nigeria’s future. Every child abducted is a reminder of state failure. Every citizen killed or left in captivity is an indictment of a security architecture that is no longer working,” he said.
The former vice president reiterated his call for the declaration of a state of emergency on security, insisting that the Federal Government must urgently adopt stronger and more coordinated measures to combat terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
He maintained that routine condemnations and assurances were no longer sufficient and called for concrete actions aimed at dismantling criminal networks, rescuing victims, and restoring public confidence in the nation’s security institutions.
Atiku also extended his condolences to the family of the late General Rabe and prayed for the safe release of his wife and other Nigerians currently held captive by bandits and terrorists.
“May the soul of General Rabe rest in peace. But let his death serve as a wake-up call. A nation that cannot protect its heroes, its children, and its citizens is a nation facing a grave crisis. The time for decisive action is now,” he said.
