President Bola Tinubu has expressed shock over the death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar in the custody of terrorists in Katsina State, declaring that the killing will not force the government to negotiate with armed groups or soften its campaign against banditry and kidnapping.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described the late officer as a distinguished soldier who served Nigeria meritoriously before retirement.
Abubakar, a former Army spokesman and ex-Director of Defence Information, was reportedly travelling with his wife to his hometown when both were abducted along the Marabar Musawa-Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, near Zakin Baure village.
The retired general’s ordeal drew national attention after a video emerged showing him and his wife in captivity. In the footage, his wife appealed for help and conveyed the demands of their captors, who reportedly asked for the release of three men identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru, as well as the return of livestock allegedly seized from them.
Abubakar, who spoke briefly in the video, was said to have urged efforts toward peace and reconciliation.
Tinubu commiserated with the family of the deceased, especially Abubakar’s wife, who remains in captivity, and extended condolences to the Katsina State Government and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
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The President, however, said the killing would not weaken his administration’s resolve to defeat terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes across the country.
“While the terrorists have done their worst, they should know that the government will never bow to their demand to release their members held by our security agencies,” he said.
Tinubu’s reaction is in line with the hard position he restated in his June 12 Democracy Day address, where he warned bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terror to surrender or face decisive state action.
“As I said on June 12, bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terror should now surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State,” the President said.
“These windows of surrender will not remain open forever, and no mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.”
He urged Nigerians to remain united and confident that the country’s enemies would ultimately be defeated, insisting that terrorism and banditry must not be politicised or excused.
Tinubu said Abubakar’s death should mark a turning point in Nigeria’s anti-terror campaign.
“Gen. Abubakar’s death should further serve as a defining moment in our battle against terrorists and insurgents, never to negotiate with them on any terms, but to continue to treat them as the greatest enemies of our dear nation, who should never be spared,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Abubakar was last seen in a video released by his captors before his death, underscoring the brutality of criminal gangs operating in parts of the North-West.
Crediblenewsng.com
