Peter Obi: “We Can’t Continue Like This” Over Gen Abubakar’s Death in Bandit Captivity

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, strongly condemned the death of former Director of Defence Information, Major‑General Rabe Abubakar.

In a post on his verified X account late Saturday, Obi said the incident is a clear manifestation of the deepening security crisis confronting Nigeria.

He lamented that it is tragic that a man who served his fatherland with honour, rose through the ranks of the Nigerian Armed Forces, and retired after years of meritorious service, would meet such a heartbreaking end at the hands of criminal elements.

The former Anambra Governor described Abubakar’s death as a national tragedy and a sobering indictment of the insecurity that has engulfed the country.

He called on the Federal Government and the security agencies to move beyond rhetoric and adopt a more proactive, intelligence‑driven, technology‑based, and coordinated approach to tackling insecurity.

“Nigeria cannot continue like this. I received with deep shock and sadness the tragic death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who reportedly died while in the custody of kidnappers.”

“Earlier, before this heartbreaking news, I also received disturbing reports of renewed bandit attacks in Sokoto and Kwara States.”

“The armed bandits reportedly blocked a market route in Sokoto and abducted traders, while terrorists invaded communities in Kwara State, kidnapping scores of citizens and killing innocent people, are heartbreaking and alarming. These incidents are not isolated tragedies;”

“But particularly painful is the reported death of Major General Rabe Abubakar, a distinguished military officer who dedicated a significant part of his life to defending Nigeria and protecting its citizens.”

“When traders can no longer travel safely to markets, farmers cannot access their farms, communities live under constant fear, and even retired senior military officers are not spared from the menace of kidnapping and violent crime, it becomes evident that our nation is facing a grave security emergency.”

“Security remains the foremost responsibility of any government. Every life lost, every citizen abducted, and every community displaced represent a painful failure of our collective duty to protect the Nigerian people.”

“The recurring attacks in Sokoto, Kwara, and many other parts of the country demonstrate that insecurity is not only persisting but spreading in both scope and intensity,” he wrote.