By Francis Ajuonuma
The death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former spokesman of the Nigerian Army and one-time Director of Defence Information, in kidnappers’ captivity has triggered nationwide grief, outrage and renewed concerns over the state of security in Nigeria.
The tragedy drew reactions from President Bola Tinubu, political leaders, security experts, religious figures, civil society groups and ordinary Nigerians, many of whom see the incident as a stark reminder of the country’s persistent insecurity crisis.
For many, the significance of Rabe’s death lies not merely in the rank he once held, but in what his fate represents.
If a retired Major General who spent decades defending the nation could be abducted and die in captivity, many Nigerians ask, what hope remains for ordinary citizens facing the same threats daily?
Rabe was abducted alongside his wife in Katsina State and reportedly died while being held by bandits.
While early reports attributed his death to complications arising from diabetes and hypertension during captivity, fresh controversy emerged on Sunday when his family challenged those claims.
Reacting to the development, President Tinubu expressed shock over the death of the retired officer and commiserated with his family, the Katsina State Government and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The President also expressed concern that Rabe’s wife remains in captivity and reiterated his administration’s determination not to negotiate with terrorists.
“Bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terror should now surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State,” Tinubu said.
“These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.”
Describing the tragedy as a defining moment in the country’s fight against terrorism, the President said, “General Abubakar’s death should further serve as a defining moment in our battle against terrorists and insurgents, never to negotiate with them on any terms, but to continue to treat them as the greatest enemies of our dear nation.”
A fresh dimension was added to the unfolding story when one of the deceased’s sons, Isyaka Rabe, dismissed reports that his father had diabetes or high blood pressure.
Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle, Isyaka said the family did not believe diabetes was responsible for his father’s death.
“I truly don’t believe it was diabetes. In our view, it was a heart attack,” he said.
“If you look at it, his legs were restrained. Some people said that he was walking and didn’t die, so God knows, since only God is the knower.”
The late general’s son also dismissed reports circulating on social media that his mother had regained her freedom.
“Whoever says she has been released, I, Isyaka Rabe, son of Major General Rabe, say that is a lie. She has not been released. Right now, she is still in their custody,” he said.
Describing his father as a deeply religious and peace-loving man, Isyaka said the retired officer died a hero.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State described the development as a dark moment for both the state and the nation.
According to the governor, the tragedy highlights the continuing threat posed by banditry and reinforces the need for stronger collaboration among security agencies and governments at all levels.
Radda said efforts had been made to secure the retired general’s release before the tragic outcome.
The Defence Headquarters also paid tribute to the deceased officer, describing him as a dedicated soldier whose service and contributions to national security would not be forgotten.
Former colleagues remembered him as a disciplined officer, patriot and consummate professional who served the nation with distinction.
The announcement of Rabe’s death immediately sparked widespread reactions across the country.
One of the strongest came from the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG).
Its National Coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, described the incident as a devastating indictment of Nigeria’s security situation.
According to him, there was nothing natural about dying in the custody of armed criminals.
“A man abducted from his home, mosque, church, farmland or along the road and held captive by criminals did not die a natural death,” he said.
“He died because the state failed in its most sacred responsibility — protecting the lives and property of its citizens.”
Charanchi said the tragedy should provoke serious national reflection.
“When even a retired Major General can be kidnapped and perish in captivity, what hope remains for ordinary Nigerians?” he asked.
That question appeared to capture the mood across much of the country.
Across social media platforms, Nigerians expressed grief, anger and frustration over the incident.
Many pointed to the painful irony that a man who once helped communicate and defend Nigeria’s security policies eventually became a victim of the very insecurity he spent years confronting.
Others argued that while thousands of ordinary Nigerians had suffered similar fates, the death of a retired Major General had once again brought national attention to a crisis many communities have endured for years.
In Katsina State, residents described the tragedy as both shocking and familiar.
Community leaders noted that farmers, traders, teachers, traditional rulers and countless ordinary citizens had fallen victim to banditry long before the latest incident.
According to them, Rabe’s death has merely amplified a reality many communities in the region have endured for years.
Former Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Katsina State, Hajiya Hannatu Mohammed Umar, described the incident as deeply painful.
Current NAWOJ Chairperson, Fatima Sanda Kaita, said the tragedy underscored the vulnerability of citizens regardless of status or social standing.
“When prominent individuals are not spared, it underscores the vulnerability of ordinary citizens who face these threats daily,” she said.
The incident also attracted political reactions.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the death of the retired military officer as a damning indictment of the government’s inability to secure lives and property adequately.
“It is with profound sadness and deep anger that we mourn the death of retired Major General Mohammed Rabe,” Atiku said.
The former Vice President noted that the late officer dedicated much of his life to defending the nation and helping preserve national security.
According to him, the tragedy demonstrates that no Nigerian, regardless of rank, status or service to the country, can feel completely safe.
The incident has also reignited broader concerns about the effectiveness of current strategies aimed at combating banditry and kidnapping.
Security analyst Kabiru Adamu said the tragedy highlighted the complexity of the security challenges facing the country.
According to him, criminal groups continue to evolve and adapt despite sustained military operations.
He argued that success in the face of insecurity requires intelligence-led operations, technology deployment, effective policing, community engagement, and sustained political commitment.
Several retired military officers echoed similar concerns.
One retired senior officer described the death as deeply troubling.
“The issue is not simply that a retired general died in captivity. The issue is that criminal groups have become increasingly bold. The challenge before government is how to reverse that trend and restore public confidence,” he said.
The tragedy has also revived memories of repeated warnings by elder statesman and former Defence Minister, Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd).
Over the years, Danjuma has repeatedly urged vulnerable communities to take security issues seriously and remain vigilant against criminal attacks.
His comments resurfaced in public discussions following news of Rabe’s death.
The development comes amid growing concerns over insecurity across the country.
Only days before the retired general’s death, members of the House of Representatives openly questioned the effectiveness of ongoing security operations. They demanded explanations from security chiefs over persistent killings, kidnappings and attacks across the country.
Several lawmakers argued that security agencies must begin to demonstrate measurable progress in restoring public confidence.
Others warned that Nigerians increasingly expect tangible results rather than repeated assurances.
Religious leaders have also repeatedly expressed alarm over the deteriorating security situation.
General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has consistently lamented the scale of killings and violence across the country and urged authorities to intensify efforts to protect lives and property.
Similarly, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has repeatedly warned that insecurity poses a serious threat to national cohesion and public confidence in government.
Kukah has argued on several occasions that no nation can thrive when citizens live in fear and that the government’s ability to guarantee security remains central to its legitimacy.
Across the North, socio-cultural organisations including the Arewa Consultative Forum and the Northern Elders Forum have also repeatedly expressed concern over the persistence of banditry, kidnapping and attacks on rural communities.
Many of those concerns resurfaced over the weekend as reactions to Rabe’s death continued to pour in.
For civil society organisations, however, the larger issue remains the continuing threat posed by insecurity to millions of Nigerians.
Several groups argued that while the death of a retired general has attracted national attention, every victim of kidnapping deserves the same urgency and public concern.
A coalition of rights advocates said the outrage generated by Rabe’s death should catalyse meaningful reforms.
“The real issue is not the status of the victim,” a spokesperson said.
“The real issue is that too many Nigerians continue to live under the threat of violence, kidnapping and criminality. The country must respond with greater urgency.”
As family members, former colleagues, military officers and sympathisers gathered to bid farewell to the late general, tributes poured in celebrating his professionalism, patriotism and dedication to national service.
