National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has described the death of former Director of Defence Information, Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, in the custody of his abductors as a national tragedy and a painful reflection of Nigeria’s worsening security situation.
Mark, a former President of the Senate and retired Brigadier General of the Nigerian Army, said the incident should serve as a wake-up call for government at all levels to urgently review the country’s security architecture and adopt practical measures to protect citizens.
His reaction was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan.
The former Senate President expressed deep sadness over the death of the retired military officer, saying it was troubling that a man who dedicated a significant part of his life to defending Nigeria eventually became a victim of the insecurity he once fought against.
According to him, the death of Major General Rabe Abubakar goes beyond a personal loss to his immediate family and the military community.
“The death of Major General Rabe Abubakar in captivity is not only a personal loss to his family and the military community but also a national tragedy. It raises serious concerns about the safety and security of every Nigerian citizen,” Mark said.
The ADC chairman lamented that Nigerians had increasingly become endangered in their own country because of persistent attacks by terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups.
Visibly emotional in his reaction, Mark noted that insecurity had continued to escalate for more than a decade, affecting virtually every segment of society regardless of social status, profession or location.
He observed that the killing of a distinguished military officer after weeks in captivity demonstrated that the security crisis had reached an alarming level.
According to him, if a retired senior military officer could fall victim to criminal elements, ordinary citizens would naturally become more fearful about their own safety.
He therefore called on Nigerians to unite against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and all forms of violent crimes threatening the nation’s peace and stability.
Mark questioned what the future holds for ordinary Nigerians if schools, homes, places of worship and highways can no longer guarantee safety.
“What next for the ordinary citizen if pupils and teachers are unsafe in schools, homes are invaded by criminals, places of worship are no longer secure, and our roads have become dangerous corridors?” he asked.
He said the situation required urgent national reflection and decisive action from leaders at all levels.
The former Senate President lamented that Nigeria, once celebrated as the pride of Africa, was gradually losing its standing because of the inability to adequately guarantee the security of lives and property.
He stressed that restoring security must become the nation’s foremost priority.
According to him, the country must return to the drawing board to identify the root causes of insecurity and implement practical and sustainable solutions capable of addressing the challenge.
Mark said the security crisis could not be tackled through rhetoric alone, insisting that authorities must demonstrate sincerity of purpose and political will.
He urged governments at the federal, state and local levels to mobilise all the resources needed to end the menace of insecurity before more innocent lives are lost.
“The security and welfare of the people remain the primary responsibility of government. We must act decisively now before more innocent lives are lost,” he stated.
Despite his concerns, the former Senate President expressed optimism that Nigeria could overcome its present difficulties.
He said that with determination, collective commitment and genuine leadership, the country could defeat criminal elements and reclaim its place among respected nations of the world.
Mark also extended his condolences to the family of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar, the Nigerian Armed Forces and victims of kidnapping and banditry across the country.
The death of Rabe Abubakar has continued to attract widespread reactions from political leaders, military officers and concerned Nigerians.
The retired Major General, who once served as Director of Defence Information and spokesperson for the Armed Forces of Nigeria, was reportedly abducted alongside his wife along the Matazu axis of Katsina State on May 30.
Katsina State Government later confirmed that the former military spokesman died while in captivity.
According to the state authorities, Abubakar reportedly suffered complications arising from diabetes and hypertension despite efforts by security agencies to secure his release.
His wife eventually regained her freedom and reunited with family members after weeks in the hands of the abductors.
Abubakar was buried in Katsina on Saturday in accordance with Islamic rites, with family members, military officers, government officials and residents attending the funeral prayers.
His death has renewed national conversations about the persistent insecurity confronting several parts of Nigeria, particularly in the North-West, where bandit attacks and kidnappings have become frequent.
For years, communities across affected states have witnessed attacks on villages, abductions of schoolchildren, killings of residents and assaults on travellers using major roads.
Successive administrations have launched military operations and introduced various security measures aimed at addressing the challenge. However, many Nigerians continue to demand stronger and more effective strategies to protect lives and property.