ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has described the death of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe in the custody of bandits and the renewed terrorist attack on communities in Chibok, Borno State, as evidence that Nigeria is gradually losing the gains achieved in the fight against insecurity.
In a statement issued on Sunday through his media office, Atiku said the death of the former Director of Defence Information amounted to a tragic indictment of the Federal Government’s inability to safeguard citizens, warning that the prevailing security situation has left no Nigerian truly safe.
Rabe, a former Army spokesperson, was abducted alongside his wife on May 30, 2026, in Katsina State.
Reports indicated that he died while in captivity after suffering complications arising from diabetes and hypertension. His wife is reportedly still being held by the kidnappers.
Reacting to the incident, Atiku said the death of a retired senior military officer in the hands of criminals was both painful and unacceptable.
“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,” he said.
The former Vice President argued that the incident highlights the growing vulnerability of Nigerians and underscores the shortcomings of the country’s security framework.
READ ALSO
“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,” Atiku stated.
According to him, the tragedy extends beyond the loss of a retired military officer and reflects a wider national security crisis in which criminal elements have become increasingly emboldened.
“General Rabe’s 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,” he added.
Atiku further expressed concern that the retired general’s death coincided with another terrorist attack on Kautikari community in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, where insurgents reportedly razed primary and secondary school facilities.
Drawing a connection between the latest attack and the 2014 abduction of more than 270 schoolgirls from Chibok, the ADC chieftain said the incident had reopened one of the nation’s deepest wounds.
“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,” he said.
He noted that the timing of the attack carried a troubling message for a nation still grappling with insurgency and banditry.
“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.
“What this tells Nigerians is simple and painful: despite the sacrifices of our soldiers, despite the billions spent on security, despite the countless lives lost in the war against terror, the nation is steadily losing the gains that were won through blood and sacrifice,” he added.
Atiku also expressed concern over the fate of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in recent weeks, revealing that about 90 victims kidnapped from Oyo and Borno states since May 15 remain in captivity.
He warned that persistent attacks on schools and the abduction of children point to a worsening security situation across the country.
“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 ADC presidential candidate renewed his call for a state of emergency on security, insisting that the Federal Government must go beyond rhetoric and take urgent steps to confront banditry and terrorism.
“This is precisely why I called for the declaration of a state of emergency on security. We cannot continue to pretend that all is well while bandits and terrorists roam freely, abduct citizens, burn schools, occupy communities, and even bring down our senior military officers.
“The Federal Government must rise to the occasion without further delay. Empty promises, propaganda, and routine condemnations are no longer enough. Nigerians deserve decisive, coordinated, and result-oriented action,” he said.
Atiku extended his condolences to the family of the late general and prayed for the safe release of his wife and other Nigerians currently being held by kidnappers and terrorist groups.
“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.