Coursemates, Associates of Late Maj-Gen Rabe Abubakar Urge Stronger Action Against Insecurity

Some Coursemates, Colleagues, and Associates of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar (Rtd), former Director of Defence Information who died in bandit's captivity, have demanded urgent reforms of Nigeria’s security architecture describing the tragedy as a stark reflection of the country’s worsening insecurity.

The group, represented by retired Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi, Ambassador A. Mohammed Musawa and retired Air Commodore Yusuf Anas, described the late general as a distinguished officer whose military career was marked by loyalty, integrity and dedicated service to Nigeria.

Speaking on Thursday, the group expressed profound grief over the death of the retired senior military officer, who was kidnapped alongside his wife, Hajia Amina Rabe Abubakar, in the Matazu area of Katsina State. 

While his wife was later rescued, General Abubakar died in captivity.

The retired senior officers acknowledged the efforts of both the Federal Government and the Katsina State Government in securing the release of his wife and commended the President for condemning the killing and reiterating his administration’s commitment to combating terrorism and kidnapping.

The group noted however, that General Abubakar’s death signals a broader national security crisis that has left many Nigerians vulnerable to banditry, terrorism and kidnapping

They said, "the persistent abduction of citizens, including schoolchildren, has become a national tragedy that continues to erode public confidence in government’s ability to protect lives and property" warning that 'insecurity has spread across the country to the extent that it is increasingly difficult to distinguish between conflict zones and peaceful regions.

While urging Nigerians to avoid politicising insecurity or reducing it to ethnic and regional narratives, they stressed that "terrorism, banditry and kidnapping are national challenges requiring collective action and honest introspection".

Continuing, the group pointed out that successive administrations have struggled to effectively tackle insecurity due to weak implementation of policies, inadequate coordination and insufficient political will. 

The group therefore called for the strengthening of Nigeria’s security institutions, improved funding for security operations and a more proactive approach to counterinsurgency efforts.

Welcoming ongoing security cooperation between Nigeria and international partners, including the United States, they maintained that the responsibility for safeguarding the country ultimately rests with Nigeria.

“No nation can defend our country for us,” the group stated, adding that foreign assistance can only complement, not replace, a strong national security framework.

The group urged caution with regards to calls On the growing calls for citizens to arm themselves for self-defence, stating that "any such policy must be carefully regulated to prevent further proliferation of weapons across the country.

They also advocated enhanced border security and stronger regional cooperation with neighbouring countries, and to curb the illegal flow of arms fueling terrorism and banditry.

They called on the 19 Northern governors to develop and implement a coordinated regional security policy aimed at tackling illegal arms possession, terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in the region.

Drawing lessons from international experiences, the group cited the decisive responses of the Italian and Sri Lankan governments to terrorism as examples of the political will needed to defeat violent criminal groups, calling on Nigerian leaders at all levels to demonstrate similar determination in confronting insecurity.

Furthermore, the group appealed to governments to provide prompt support to families of serving and retired military personnel who die in service or become victims of kidnapping and terrorism, even as urged authorities to intensify efforts to secure the release of all Nigerians currently held captive and to sustain measures aimed at ending terrorism, banditry and kidnapping nationwide.