A retired major general is dead after bandits snatched him from his home in Katsina State. Now his fellow retired officers are saying enough is enough.
Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd) was abducted in the Matazu area of Katsina. He died in captivity. His wife, Hajiya Amina Rabe Abubakar, was rescued — but the general didn't make it.
On Thursday, a group of retired military officers and associates gathered in Kaduna to speak. Brigadier General Isma'ila Abdullahi (rtd) addressed reporters on behalf of the late general's colleagues, friends, and family. Other retired officers present included Brigadier General Abubakar Abdulqadir (rtd), Brigadier General M.I. Tsiga (rtd), Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (rtd), and retired ambassadors Ibrahim Usman Gafai and Ahmed Muhammad Musawa.
Abdullahi didn't hold back. “Our colleague, friend, and brother, Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd), died following his abduction by cruel bandits. His sudden death has left us shocked and deeply saddened,” he said.
He called the general's death a wake-up call. He said it shows how broken Nigeria's security system has become. “The death of General Rabe Abubakar isn't merely a headline. It underscores the difficulties facing a system struggling to guarantee the safety of citizens. Kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism have become painful realities for many Nigerians,” Abdullahi stated.
The retired officers warned against turning insecurity into a political or ethnic fight. They said terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry are national problems that need a national solution. “We must resist the temptation to politicise insecurity. This is a Nigerian problem that requires a collective national solution,” Abdullahi said.
They made specific demands. Stronger security institutions. Better collaboration among agencies. More money for intelligence gathering. Tighter border control to stop illegal weapons from flowing in.
International help is welcome, they said, but Nigeria can't outsource its own security. “No foreign nation can secure Nigeria for us. International cooperation is important, but the responsibility for protecting Nigerians lies with our institutions and leadership,” Abdullahi said.
One of the biggest points they pushed was community defence. Abdullahi argued that rural communities are being attacked by heavily armed bandits while local defenders are using outdated equipment. He said communities should be allowed to organise and train selected youths under proper supervision to help protect themselves.
But he warned against letting guns spread without control. Any community defence arrangement must be strictly regulated and supervised, he insisted.
The officers also called on state governments to create forest guard units — but said setting them up isn't enough. “Creating forest guard units is only the first step. Proper training and equipment are essential if they are to contribute meaningfully to tackling insecurity in forested areas,” Abdullahi said.
On state police, the group was cautious. They support the idea in principle, but only for states that can afford it. “We aren't opposed to state police. However, states seeking to establish such structures must demonstrate the ability to recruit, train, equip, and sustain them effectively,” Abdullahi added.
Finally, they urged governments at all levels to support families affected by kidnapping, terrorism, and banditry, and to work harder to free citizens still in captivity.
Major General Rabe Abubakar served Nigeria for decades before retiring. His death has now become a symbol of how far banditry has reached — even former generals aren't safe.
The retired officers say this should be the moment Nigeria finally gets serious about fixing its security. Whether the government listens is uncertain.