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The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Tinubu over the worsening security situation in the country, describing the death of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe in the custody of bandits as evidence of the Federal Government’s failure to protect Nigerians.
Atiku, in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by his media office, said the tragic death of the former Director of Defence Information was a painful reminder that insecurity has continued to escalate under the current administration, despite the sacrifices made by security personnel in the fight against terrorism and banditry.
The former Vice President lamented that General Rabe, who dedicated much of his life to defending Nigeria, died while in the hands of kidnappers after being abducted alongside his wife in Katsina State on May 30.
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.
Atiku argued that the incident demonstrates that no Nigerian is safe, regardless of status or past service to the nation. He said the death of a retired senior military officer in captivity reflects the growing boldness of criminal groups and the inability of security agencies to effectively curb their activities.
He further linked the tragedy to a renewed wave of terrorist attacks in the North-East, noting that on the same day Nigerians were mourning General Rabe, terrorists reportedly attacked communities in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State and set primary and secondary school facilities ablaze.
According to Atiku, the attack on Chibok carries painful symbolism for the country, recalling the 2014 abduction of more than 270 schoolgirls that drew global attention and left lasting scars on affected families and communities.
“The flames that consumed those school buildings reignited painful memories Nigerians have spent years trying to overcome,” he said, adding that the latest attack suggests the country risks sliding back into one of the darkest periods of its battle against insurgency.
The ADC presidential candidate warned that the death of General Rabe and the destruction of schools in Chibok indicate that security gains achieved through years of military operations are being eroded.
He also expressed concern over reports that dozens of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo and Borno states since May remain in captivity, alongside many other victims held by bandits and terrorist groups across the country.
Atiku maintained that every attack on schools and every kidnapping represent a failure of the state’s responsibility to protect citizens and secure the nation’s future. He reiterated his earlier call for the declaration of a state of emergency on security, insisting that the scale of the crisis requires urgent and coordinated action.
The former Vice President urged the Federal Government to move beyond what he described as routine condemnations and adopt decisive measures aimed at rescuing captives, dismantling criminal networks and restoring public confidence in the country’s security architecture.
He, however, extended condolences to the family of the late General Rabe, prayed for the safe release of his wife and other abducted Nigerians, and called on authorities to treat the incident as a wake-up call to confront the nation’s deepening security challenges.
