Gen Rabe’s death reflects a nation under siege – Atiku

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the death of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe, describing it as a reflection of a nation under siege.

Atiku said the death of the former Director of Defence Information was “a damning indictment of the Federal Government’s failure to secure the lives of Nigerians.”

In a statement issued by his media office on Sunday, the former vice president said the incident exposed what he described as the ineffectiveness of the Tinubu administration’s approach to insecurity and underscored the growing vulnerability of citizens across the country.

“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,” Atiku said.

According to him, the tragedy goes beyond the death of a retired military officer and reflects a broader security challenge confronting the nation.

“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.”

Atiku noted that the incident was not isolated, citing reports of attacks on senior military officers and other prominent Nigerians by criminal gangs in recent years.

He further expressed concern over reports that terrorists attacked the Kautikari community in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State on the same day, setting educational facilities ablaze.

“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,” he said.

The former vice president said the attack rekindled painful memories associated with the 2014 schoolgirls’ abduction and raised concerns about the state of security in the region.

“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.”

Atiku also lamented the continued captivity of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in recent attacks, saying the development should compel authorities to reassess current security strategies.

“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.

Reiterating his earlier call for stronger measures to tackle insecurity, Atiku urged the Federal Government to take decisive and coordinated action to rescue victims, dismantle criminal networks and restore public confidence in the country’s security system.

“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 that will rescue those in captivity, dismantle criminal networks and restore confidence in the capacity of the state to protect lives and property,” he added.

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