Outrage spreads over General Rabe’s death in bandits’ hands

•MBF warns on risk of escalating insecurity in Nigeria
•DHQ mourns, pledges justice as military delegation visits Katsina

NATIONWIDE outrage has continued to trail the abduction and subsequent death of Brigadier-General Rabe Abubakar in bandits’ captivity.

Reacting to the development, President of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr Bitrus Pogu, has warned that the escalating insecurity is a repeat of the gameplan that pulled down former President Gooluck Jonathan’s administration.

Pogu, in an interview on Sunday, alleged that the gameplan of some people is to pull down the current administration for advantage in the forthcoming election.

He said that President Bola Tinubu, who is the target of the conspiracy, needs to brace up and address insecurity squarely instead of managing the situation.

He said: “The gameplan that pulled Jonathan down is the one in vogue now; it is the same gameplan against Tinubu, and he should brace up and address it. He is part of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he should have known better; he should address it, otherwise it would pull him down.

“President Tinubu knows what the APC did to pull down former President Jonathan in 2014. Knowing what they did, he should  brace up. And for him to just sit down and allow them to mess everybody up, including himself, is not the best.

“One of the things they used at that time to pull down the Jonathan-led administration was insecurity. He should brace up and deal ruthlessly with those behind security challenges confronting the nation.

Pogu added: “In this situation, no one should be treated as an untouchable. He cannot afford to continue managing a terrible situation that requires urgent actions. He should give a matching order. Any officer, who is not ready to do the right thing should be kicked out”.

 He stressed that the killing of General Abubakar (retd) was a message that terrorists do not respect the military and therefore, should not be treated with kid gloves.

He also warned that granting amnesty to undesirable elements is fuelling the situation, rather than curbing the menace.

According to him, it is a wake-up call to those who are compromising within the military, treating terrorists with kid gloves, especially those and advocating for soft landing for terrorists in the guise of amnesty.

He said further: “A life has been lost; the life of a senior military officer; let the military get the message and do the needful, and not to continue to play games with insurgency. As we see on social media, helicopters are still dropping weapons for terrorists. No one can deceive me that our military does not know all these things. There’s a conspiracy within the security forces, so our leaders have to brace up.

“The military has to deal with them ruthlessly. Nobody can negotiate with these people and get results; the only solution is to crush them. You don’t negotiate with unrepentant criminals.

DHQ mourns, pledges justice as military delegation visits Katsina

Meanwhile, a high-powered delegation from the Defence Headquarters on Sunday paid a condolence visit to the Katsina State government over the death of General Abubakar, assuring that efforts are underway to bring those responsible for his killing to justice.

The delegation, led by the Chief Administration Officer, Defence Headquarters, Major-General I.M. Abdullahi, was received by the state’s deputy governor, Faruk Lawal Jobe, on behalf of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda and the people of the state.

Other members of the delegation included: Major-General W.B. Idris (Theatre Commander), Rear Admiral A.H. Haruna, Major-General B.P. Koughna, Brigadier-General I.M. Ibrahim, Brigadier-General S.K. Usman (retd), A.U.M. S.I. Kaita (retd), Major-General M.S. Bindawa (retd) and A.U.M. A.Y. Abdullahi.

Speaking during the visit, General Abdullahi said that the delegation was in Katsina to convey the condolences of the Defence Headquarters and the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the government and people of the state over the loss of the retired military officer, who was reportedly killed by bandits.

The senior military officer assured the state government that the Defence Headquarters remained committed to strengthening security operations and supporting efforts to track down and prosecute those behind the killing.

While responding on behalf of the state government, the deputy governor expressed appreciation to the military leadership for the visit, describing it as a demonstration of solidarity and support during a difficult period for the state.

Ministers, senators, govs may be next target if… —Buratai

Former Chief of Army Staff, General Yusuf Buratai (retd), has issued a stern warning that the killing of  General Abubakar by bandits signals a serious erosion of tactical deterrence.

He said, “Let me be clear: if this trend continues unchecked, the next targets may not be soldiers or civilians alone. They could include ministers, senators and even state governors. No leader will be immune.

READ ALSO: Why I didn’t release kidnapped General Rabe’s wife — Bandit kingpin

This was contained in a statement issued by the former army chief and made to journalists on Sunday.

Buratai said,” ln 2021, I sounded a stark warning that insurgency and banditry in Nigeria could persist for 20 years if drastic action was not taken.

“Today, our nation is witnessing the grim unfolding of that prediction. The capture, torture and eventual killing of a senior military officer,  General  Abubakar, is not merely a tragedy; it marks a dangerous threshold.

Bandits yet to release our mother —Son

Isiaka Rabe, son of the late General Abubakar has debunked the online claim that their mother, Amina Rabe, had been released.

In an interview with journalists on Sunday, Isiaka said, “We have accepted the fact that we lost our father, but our mother is still with the bandits.

“They are yet to release her. Those saying she was released are not telling the truth. As one of the children of our late father, I want to state that she has not been released.”

When asked whether the family had anything to say, he insisted, “We don’t have anything to say to the governor or the president.

Miyetti Allah condemns banditry, renews call for action against insecurity

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has condemned banditry and other forms of violent crime in the country, describing them as a threat to national security, while mourning the death of retired General  Abubakar.

In a statement issued by its National President, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, the association expressed profound grief over the death of the retired military officer, who reportedly died after being abducted by armed bandits on May 30,  while travelling with his wife from Kaduna to Katsina State.

MACBAN extended its condolences to the family of the deceased, the government and people of Katsina State, the Nigerian military community and the nation at large over what it described as a painful and irreparable loss.

According to the association, General Abubakar served Nigeria with honour, courage and dedication throughout his military career, noting that his death under such circumstances highlights the persistent insecurity facing the country.

“His tragic demise under such distressing circumstances is a painful reminder that insecurity continues to threaten the lives of ordinary citizens and eminent Nigerians alike, underscoring the urgent need for intensified and sustained national action against criminal elements,” the statement said.

Declare national emergency on insecurity —CISLAC tells Tinubu

Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), on Sunday, called on the Federal Government to declare a national emergency on insecurity following the worsening wave of kidnappings, banditry and violent attacks across the country.

 Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, who gave the charge in a statement in Abuja, expressed concern over the deterioration of security despite the trillions of naira allocated annually to defence and security operations.

Describing the death of General Abubakar in bandits’ captivity as a tragic symbol of the country’s deepening security crisis, he posited that the death of the officer underscores the expanding reach of insecurity across the country, leaving even former senior military commanders vulnerable to criminal elements.

According to him, Nigeria has continued to lose military officers, security personnel, traditional rulers, community leaders and ordinary citizens to criminal groups, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of the nation’s security architecture.

“The death of a  General in captivity is not only a personal tragedy, but a national one that reflects the state of insecurity in the country. If a decorated military officer who dedicated his life to defending Nigeria can fall victim to bandits, then ordinary Nigerians face even greater risk,” Rafsanjani said.

He noted that the country has continued to lose highly ranked military officers and security personnel in the line of duty, while criminal groups operate with increasing boldness across several regions.

Rafsanjani said the situation reflects a collective failure of the political class to adequately address the nation’s security challenges.

“We have reached a stage where even those who once occupied strategic positions in government and security institutions are no longer safe after leaving office. This should concern every political leader because insecurity does not discriminate,” he stated.

He also lamented rising kidnappings, especially schoolchildren abductions and attacks on rural communities, warning that the trend is eroding public confidence and discouraging school attendance in affected areas.

He cited Amnesty International’s April 2026 report which indicated that at least 1,100 people were abducted between January and April 2026 in the North, particularly in rural communities.

Atiku condemns death of retired Major General Rabe in bandits’ den

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the tragic death of General Abubakar in the captivity of bandits.

Atiku, in a statement issued by his media office on Sunday, described the incident as a damning indictment on the Federal Government’s capability to secure the lives of Nigerians.

The former vice president said the death of the former Director of Defence Information again exposed the ineffectiveness of the Tinubu administration’s approach to tackling insecurity and highlighted the frightening reality that no Nigerian, regardless of status or service to the nation, is safe.

“It is with profound sadness and deep anger that we mourn the death of retired Major-General Abubakar, a distinguished former Army Spokesperson and Director of Defence Information, who tragically passed away while in the captivity of bandits.

“General Abubakar 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,” Atiku said.

General Rabe was abducted on May 30, 2026, alongside his wife, who is reportedly still being held by the kidnappers in Katsina State.

Reports indicate that the retired General succumbed to complications arising from diabetes and hypertension during his ordeal after efforts to secure his release proved unsuccessful.

According to Atiku, the tragedy is not merely the death of one retired military officer. It is a stark reflection of a nation where criminal elements have become emboldened while citizens are increasingly left to fend for themselves.

“His death marks yet another painful blow to our nation’s security architecture and a chilling reminder of the vulnerability of even our most experienced military leaders in the face of rampant banditry and terrorism.

“General Abubakar ordeal is not an isolated case. In recent times, other senior military officers and distinguished Nigerians have either been killed or subjected to similar traumatic experiences at the hands of criminal gangs. The message being sent is dangerous: that those who once defended the nation can no longer rely on the nation for protection,” the statement said.

The Waziri Adamawa noted that the tragedy of General Rabe’s death was made even more disturbing by another horrifying development that occurred on the very same day.

“As Nigerians mourned the passing of a retired Major General in the captivity of bandits, terrorists were simultaneously attacking the Kautikari community in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State and setting primary and secondary school facilities ablaze,” he said.

“Chibok is not just a location; it is a national scar. Since the abduction of more than 270 schoolgirls in April 2014, the name has become a symbol of pain, loss, and collective trauma. Twelve years later, many families have still not fully recovered from the emotional devastation of that tragedy. Yet, on the very day a retired Major General died in the captivity of bandits, terrorists returned to the Chibok axis to burn schools.

“It was as though Nigeria was being dragged back into one of the darkest chapters of its history. The flames that consumed those school buildings yesterday also reignited painful memories that Nigerians have spent more than a decade trying to overcome. The tragedy is not merely that schools were burnt; it is that a wound that never truly healed has been torn open once again.

“The symbolism is devastating. A retired General who spent his life fighting for the security of Nigeria dies in the hands of criminals, while terrorists return to one of their most notorious trademarks — attacking schools and terrorising communities in Borno State.