Nigeria TV Info Atiku: General Rabe’s Death in Bandits’ Captivity Proof of Tinubu’s Incompetence

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has described the death of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe in the custody of bandits as a damning indictment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and its handling of insecurity in Nigeria.

General Rabe, a former Director of Defence Information and ex-Army spokesperson, was abducted alongside his wife in Katsina State on May 30, 2026. Reports indicate that the retired military officer died while in captivity after suffering complications linked to diabetes and hypertension. His wife is reportedly still being held by the kidnappers.

Reacting to the tragedy, Atiku said the death of a man who dedicated his life to defending Nigeria exposes the inability of the Federal Government to protect citizens and demonstrates that insecurity has worsened across the country. He argued that if a retired senior military officer could fall victim to bandits, ordinary Nigerians are even more vulnerable.

The former vice president also linked the incident to renewed terrorist attacks in Chibok, Borno State, where schools were reportedly set ablaze by insurgents. According to him, the two incidents occurring on the same day are evidence that Nigeria is losing hard-won gains in the fight against terrorism and banditry.

Atiku reiterated his call for the declaration of a state of emergency on security, urging the Federal Government to move beyond rhetoric and implement decisive measures to dismantle criminal networks, rescue victims in captivity, and restore public confidence in the nation's security architecture.

He extended condolences to the family of the late General Rabe and prayed for the safe release of his wife and other Nigerians currently being held by kidnappers, warning that the country faces a grave crisis if it cannot protect its citizens and national heroes.