Retired military officers and associates of late Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd) have called for intensified efforts to address banditry, kidnapping and terrorism across Nigeria following the death of the former military officer after his abduction.
The call was made during a press conference held in Kaduna on Thursday and addressed by Brigadier General Isma’ila Abdullahi (rtd) on behalf of the group.
The retired officers described the death of General Abubakar as a painful reminder of the worsening security challenges confronting the nation.
“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,” Abdullahi said.
While acknowledging efforts by the Federal Government and the Katsina State Government that led to the rescue of the deceased’s wife, Hajiya Amina Rabe Abubakar, the group stated that the incident reflected the broader insecurity affecting ordinary Nigerians.
According to Abdullahi, the tragedy highlighted the urgent need for stronger institutional responses to protect lives and property.
“The death of General Rabe Abubakar is not 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,” he stated.
The retired officers warned against politicising insecurity or assigning ethnic and regional interpretations to national security concerns.
They stressed that insecurity should be approached as a collective national challenge requiring coordinated action.
“We must resist the temptation to politicise insecurity. This is a Nigerian problem that requires a collective national solution,” Abdullahi added.
The group called for stronger security institutions, improved inter-agency cooperation, greater investment in intelligence gathering and tighter border security to curb the movement of illegal arms.
Although they welcomed international partnerships aimed at combating terrorism, they maintained that securing Nigeria remains primarily the responsibility of Nigerian institutions.
“No foreign nation can secure Nigeria for us. International cooperation is important, but the responsibility for protecting Nigerians lies with our institutions and leadership,” he said.
Responding to questions from journalists, Abdullahi advocated stronger support for organised community-based security initiatives, especially in rural areas frequently affected by attacks.
He suggested that local volunteers and vigilante groups could be trained and supported under regulated frameworks to strengthen community defence.
“When heavily armed bandits attack communities, it is unrealistic to expect local defenders to rely on outdated equipment. Communities can organise and train selected youths under proper supervision to support local security efforts,” he stated.
However, the retired officers cautioned against uncontrolled access to arms and insisted that any local security arrangement must operate under strict regulation and government oversight.
The group also proposed the establishment of forest guard units by state governments, stressing that proper training, logistics and operational support would be necessary for effectiveness.
“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 noted.
On the issue of State Police, the retired officers expressed support for decentralised policing but argued that only states with the financial and institutional capacity should establish such structures.
“We are not opposed to state police. However, states seeking to establish such structures must demonstrate the ability to recruit, train, equip and sustain them effectively,” he added.
The retired officers further urged governments at all levels to strengthen support systems for families affected by terrorism, banditry and kidnapping while intensifying efforts to secure the release of victims still in captivity.
They stated that the death of Major General Abubakar should serve as a national wake-up call for stronger political commitment and a more coordinated strategy to rebuild public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.
Other dignitaries present at the briefing included 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.
