National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has described the death of former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd), in the custody of kidnappers as a devastating national loss and a grim indictment of Nigeria’s worsening security situation.
- +General Abubakar’s death exposes Nigeria’s deep security failures – David Mark
The former Senate President, visibly saddened by the tragedy, said the killing of a retired senior military officer by his abductors underscores the frightening reality that no Nigerian is safe from the growing menace of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
The former Senate President, visibly saddened by the tragedy, said the killing of a retired senior military officer by his abductors underscores the frightening reality that no Nigerian is safe from the growing menace of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
Mark’s position was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan.
Recall that the former senior military officer was kidnapped two weeks ago around the Matazu axis while travelling to attend a wedding. His death was confirmed on Saturday by the Katsina State Government, which described the incident as a tragic national loss.
Mark, a retired Brig-Gen. said the death of a man who spent decades defending the nation should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to urgently reassess and strengthen the country’s security framework.
“The death of Major General Rabe Abubakar in captivity is a painful reminder of the dangerous times we live in. If a distinguished military officer can fall victim to criminals in this manner, it raises troubling questions about the security of ordinary Nigerians,” Mark said.
The ADC chairman said insecurity has steadily expanded across the country over the last decade, leaving communities devastated, businesses crippled and citizens living in fear.
He lamented that schools, homes, highways and even places of worship are no longer guaranteed safe spaces, asking what future awaits citizens when criminals appear to operate with increasing audacity.
According to him, Nigeria’s reputation as a leading African nation is being eroded by the persistent inability to protect lives and property, a situation he said demands urgent and decisive action.
Mark called for a comprehensive review of security strategies, stronger intelligence gathering, enhanced collaboration among security agencies and greater commitment from all stakeholders in the fight against violent crime.
While expressing confidence that Nigeria can overcome its security challenges, he stressed that success would require courage, political will and collective national resolve.
He extended his condolences to the family of the late Major General Abubakar, the Nigerian Armed Forces and all families that have suffered losses due to kidnapping and banditry.
“The protection of lives and property is the foremost responsibility of government. This tragedy must not be allowed to pass as another statistic. It should galvanise urgent action to reclaim our nation from the grip of insecurity,” he said.
