June 14, 2026 | Abuja, Nigeria
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has blamed the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the death of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe while in the custody of bandits.
In a statement released on Sunday through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku described the incident as a painful reflection of Nigeria’s worsening security situation and a failure of government to adequately protect its citizens.
The former Vice President expressed sadness over the death of the retired military officer, who was abducted alongside his wife on May 30, 2026, in Katsina State. Reports indicate that General Rabe died in captivity after suffering health complications linked to diabetes and hypertension.
Atiku said the death of the former Director of Defence Information highlights the growing insecurity across the country and raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of the government’s security strategy.
According to him, it is tragic that a man who dedicated his life to defending Nigeria could eventually lose his life in the hands of criminal elements.
The opposition leader noted that the incident sends a worrying message that even former senior military officers are no longer safe from the activities of bandits and terrorists.
He also linked the development to a recent terrorist attack on Kautikari community in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, where schools were reportedly set ablaze by insurgents.
Atiku stated that the attack revived painful memories of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction and demonstrated that the security challenges facing the country remain unresolved more than a decade later.
He argued that the death of the retired general and the attack on schools in Chibok occurring around the same period expose the urgent need for stronger and more effective measures to tackle insecurity nationwide.
The former Vice President maintained that the sacrifices made by Nigeria’s security personnel and citizens would continue to be undermined unless decisive action is taken to restore security and public confidence.
General Abubakar Rabe served Nigeria in several strategic military positions, including as Director of Defence Information, before his retirement from service.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not announced any breakthrough regarding the rescue of his wife, who is reportedly still being held by the kidnappers.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more information emerges.
