General Rabe’s Death: Rtd. Officers Advise Govt To Rethink Strategies

Retired military officers have advised that the death of General Rabe Abubakar in bandits’ den should serve as a wake-up call for government and security agencies to rethink current strategies against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

They maintained that Rabe’s death has exposed serious weaknesses in the country’s security system.

The retired officers, who are also associates of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd)  called for a more proactive and realistic approach to tackling insecurity in Nigeria, saying many previous measures have either failed or delivered limited results.

The retired officers made the call during a press conference in Kaduna in honour of the retired general, who died after being abducted by bandits in Katsina State.

The retired army general was abducted alongside his wife, Hajiya Amina Rabe, by bandits on May 30 in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

He later died in captivity, and his body was released by the bandits to state officials. He was buried in Katsina last Saturday in accordance with Islamic rites.

A few days after his death, his wife regained her freedom following a military operation in Katsina State.

Speaking on behalf of the retired military officers, Brigadier General Isma’ila Abdullahi (rtd) observed that seeking foreign assistance to tackle insecurity might not achieve the desired aim.

Among those present at the briefing were Brigadier General Abubakar Abdulqadir (rtd), Brigadier General M.I. Tsiga (rtd), Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (rtd), Ambassador Ibrahim Usman Gafai and Ambassador Ahmed Muhammad Musawa.

Abdullahi described the late general’s death as a painful reminder of the worsening security situation in the country.