Retired Generals Call For Joint Efforts To End Insecurity

Some retired military officers in the country have called for comprehensive reforms of Nigeria’s security architecture following the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar after his abduction by bandits in Katsina State.

Abubakar, a former Defence spokesperson died in hands of kidnappers last week after he was held for weeks, alongside his wife by the abductors in Katsina state.

The General’s wife has now been rescued by security forces who launched an assault on the fleeing suspected Fulani kidnappers.

The General made the call  during a press conference in Kaduna on Thursday, where Brigadier General Isma’ila Abdullahi (rtd), speaking on behalf of the deceased’s colleagues, friends and associates, described the incident as a stark reminder of the country’s persistent security challenges.
Abdullahi said the late general died after being kidnapped by bandits in the Matazu area of Katsina State, noting that his death had left colleagues and associates devastated.
He commended the Federal Government and the Katsina State Government for efforts that led to the rescue of Abubakar’s wife, Hajiya Amina Rabe Abubakar, but stressed that the incident highlighted the urgent need for stronger action against banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.
According to him, the killing of the retired officer reflects the broader security crisis confronting the nation and the difficulties in guaranteeing the safety of citizens.
The retired officers warned against politicising insecurity or giving it ethnic and regional interpretations, insisting that terrorism, banditry and kidnapping are national challenges requiring a collective response.
They called for stronger security institutions, closer collaboration among security agencies and increased investment in intelligence gathering and border security to curb the flow of illegal weapons into the country.
While acknowledging the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism, the group maintained that the primary responsibility for securing the country rests with Nigerian authorities.
The officers also advocated greater support for community-based security initiatives, particularly in rural areas frequently targeted by armed groups. They said properly trained and supervised local security volunteers could complement formal security efforts.
However, they cautioned against the uncontrolled proliferation of arms, stressing that any community defence arrangement must operate under strict regulation.
The group further urged state governments to establish and adequately equip forest guard units to strengthen security operations in forested areas often used as hideouts by criminal groups.
On the debate over state police, the retired officers expressed support for the idea but said only states with the financial and institutional capacity to sustain such structures should be permitted to establish them.
They also called on governments at all levels to support families affected by insecurity and intensify efforts to secure the release of citizens still in captivity.
According to the group, the death of Major General Abubakar should serve as a wake-up call for renewed political commitment and a coordinated national strategy to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.