CONYL frowns at death of retired Army general in bandits’ den

The Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL), the umbrella body of youth groups drawn across the six geopolitical zones, has condemned in the strongest terms the gruesome abduction and cold-blooded murder of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, by terrorists operating in Katsina State.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President General (PG) of CONYL, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, he described the barbaric and heinous act as a painful reminder of the frightening level of insecurity that has enveloped our nation.

He said: “It is heartbreaking and unacceptable that a man who dedicated the greater part of his life to defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria, and who rose to the prestigious rank of Major General in the Nigerian Army, could be abducted and murdered by criminals with such audacity”.

The PG said that the killing of Major General Rabe Abubakar is not merely an attack on one individual or his family but also a direct assault on the Nigerian state and a damning indictment of the deteriorating security situation across the country.

According to him, “If a retired Major General can be kidnapped and killed by terrorists, then it is clear that no Nigerian is safe adding that ordinary farmers, traders, students, civil servants, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and every other citizen are now left vulnerable to the menace of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and violent criminality.

The body condemned the security situation in Nigeria which has reached a crescendo.

He pointed out that citizens now live in fear while criminals continue to operate with alarming boldness adding that every day brings fresh reports of kidnappings, killings, attacks on communities, and destruction of livelihoods.

He said: “This trend is unacceptable and must not be allowed to continue”.

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CONYL therefore called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rise to the occasion and demonstrate decisive leadership by ending the scourge of insecurity once and for all.

He said Nigerians deserve to live in peace and security adding that the protection of lives and property remains the primary responsibility of government, and the time has come for stronger, more proactive, and result-oriented measures to defeat terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and all enemies of the Nigerian state.

CONYL urged the President to immediately review and strengthen the nation’s security architecture, intensify intelligence gathering, deploy advanced security technologies, and ensure that all security agencies are adequately equipped and motivated to confront criminal elements wherever they may be hiding.

He said: “The continued loss of innocent lives and the increasing boldness of terrorists represent a grave threat to national unity, economic development, and public confidence in government institutions. Nigerians can no longer afford to live under the constant shadow of fear and uncertainty”.

CONYL, while extending its deepest condolences to the Nigerian Armed Forces, the government and people of Katsina State, the entire nation, and most importantly the immediate family of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar over this tragic and irreparable loss, he prayed that Almighty God grants his soul eternal rest and gives his family, colleagues, and loved ones the strength to bear this painful loss.

He said: “the blood of patriotic Nigerians must not continue to be shed with impunity. Enough is enough. The time for decisive action is now”