Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar killed by bandits in Katsina

BREAKING: Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar is dead. The Nigerian military confirmed yesterday, Saturday June 13, that he lost his life while in the captivity of bandits who abducted him in Katsina last month. The Defence Headquarters said they withheld public comment initially because they were trying to rescue him safely. Now President Bola Tinubu has reacted, saying this death is a warning to kidnappers to surrender or face the full force of the state.

According to the statement from Defence Information Director Major General Samaila Uba, the retired general was on his way to his hometown for a wedding when gunmen attacked his vehicle. His driver escaped despite sustaining gunfire, but the attackers took the general and his wife into the forest. The Katsina state government also confirmed the death, saying he died from complications of diabetes and hypertension while in captivity. Governor Dikko Umaru Radda extended condolences.

President Tinubu said the terrorists have done their worst but the government will not bow to their demands. He quoted his June 12 speech: "Bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror gatz surrender now or face the full force of the Nigerian State." This death has reawakened insecurity concerns as several school children are still in the hands of terrorists across the country. How many more lives must we lose before something changes?