By Adesina Soyooye
The widow of the Major General Rabe Abubakar, Mrs Amina Rabe Abubakar, has finally been rescued from the den of her terrorist – abductors by troops of the 17th Brigade of the Nigerian Army.
However, during the rescue operation on Monday, the terrorists shot Mrs Abubakar while escaping. On rescue, she was rushed to an unnamed hospital for medical attention.
Recall that retired Major General Abubakar, a former Director Information, Defence Headquarters, who was abducted with his wife, Amina, about two weeks ago, died in the custody of his abductors on Saturday.
Even though the circumstances surrounding his death in custody, or how his body was eventually brought out for burial on Saturday, is stiil a mystery, his children have put a lie to the claim by the Katsina State Government that he died of diabetes and hypertension. They said their father suffered from no such ailments while alive, and suspect that he died of snake bite.
His death was greeted by outrage nationwide, and a call for the immediate rescue of Mrs Abubakar. Her children lamented the absence of their mother during the heartbreaking funeral of their father.
Mercifully, she has finally been rescued.
Details, later, as this is a developing story.
Major General Umar Mohammed, (RTD), a friend of Gen. Rabe, described the late former defence spokesman as a hardworking, disciplined and highly professional officer whose death in captivity should prompt serious national reflection.
Mohammed, who stated that he knew the late officer for 38 years, recalled meeting him when Rabe was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and posted to Maiduguri as Public Relations Officer of the 21 Armoured Brigade.
“Since then, I have known Rabe as an extraordinary person. He was highly professional, dedicated to duty and related well with people irrespective of rank, religion, tribe or gender,” he said.
The retired general said he was deeply saddened by the death of his longtime friend.
“I feel sad, traumatised and disturbed. I cried not only for Rabe, but for the nation and the system he served all his life. For him to die in such a dehumanising manner calls for sober reflection.
“We must ask ourselves whether this should have happened and what could have been done to prevent it,” he said.
Mohammed said he believed the military did its best to secure Rabe’s release but argued that stronger warnings should have been issued to his captors.
“I expected the military to make it clear that nothing must happen to him or his wife and that there would be serious consequences if any harm came to them,” he added.
He called on the bandits to release the late general’s wife unconditionally and urged the government to demonstrate its ability to protect citizens.
“We should tell these bandits to release her unconditionally, and if they don’t, whatever happened to her, they should know that they are within this country and the long arm of the law will catch up with them. And the government should be firm,” he said.
Mohammed maintained that the Nigerian Army remains a professional force but faces enormous security challenges due to the spread of bandit and insurgent camps across the country.
He was of the view that the military requires more manpower, drones, surveillance assets and modern weapons to effectively tackle insecurity.
Mohammed also blamed political interference in recruitment for weakening security institutions.
“When I joined the Army, recruitment was strictly merit-based. Today, some political actors influence the enlistment of people who are not fit for service.
“This affects discipline, professionalism and operational effectiveness,” he said.
He urged leaders to ensure only credible and trustworthy individuals are recruited into the armed forces and other security agencies.
“The government must show greater commitment to security through increased funding, recruitment and decisive action. It must demonstrate its ability to project force across the country and reclaim territories occupied by bandits and other criminal groups,” he added.
Also, a Security expert, Dr Yahuza Getso, advised the government to act swiftly to rescue the late general’s wife.
“If the state fails to rescue the widow promptly, it sends a dangerous message that criminal groups are stronger than the government,” he said.
Similarly, a former military intelligence officer, Abubakar Ibrahim, noted that anything short of decisive action could embolden criminal networks.
“The international community is watching. It is either we win this battle or face grave consequences,” he said.
Some residents in Katsina metropolis said the retired general’s death has deepened fears and reinforced a growing sense of vulnerability.
Malam Sama’ila Balarabe said, “This incident has shown us that insecurity respects no rank or status.
“If someone of his standing is not safe, then who is? People are afraid and are losing confidence in the government’s ability to protect lives.”
Another resident, Malam Bashir Usman Ruwangodiya, urged security agencies to take stronger action against criminal groups and warned against what he described as complacency among political leaders.
“It is high time the Federal Government took decisive action against insecurity. Anything short of that risks further loss of lives of serving and retired security personnel as well as innocent civilians,” he said.
