Retired General, expert seek unconditional release of Rabe’s widow

Retired Major General Umar I. Mohammed, a friend of Gen. Rabe, described the late former defence spokesman as a hardworking, disciplined and highly professional officer whose death in captivity should prompt serious national reflection.

In a chat with Daily Trust, Mohammed, who said he knew the late officer for 38 years, recalled meeting him when Rabe was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and posted to Maiduguri as Public Relations Officer of the 21 Armoured Brigade.

“Since then, I have known Rabe as an extraordinary person. He was highly professional, dedicated to duty and related well with people irrespective of rank, religion, tribe or gender,” he said.

The retired general said he was deeply saddened by the death of his longtime friend.

“I feel sad, traumatised and disturbed. I cried not only for Rabe but for the nation and the system he served all his life. For him to die in such a dehumanising manner calls for sober reflection.

“We must ask ourselves whether this should have happened and what could have been done to prevent it,” he said.

Mohammed said he believed the military did its best to secure Rabe’s release but argued that stronger warnings should have been issued to his captors.

“I expected the military to make it clear that nothing must happen to him or his wife and that there would be serious consequences if any harm came to them,” he said.

He called on the bandits to release the late general’s wife unconditionally and urged the government to demonstrate its ability to protect citizens.

“We should tell these bandits to release her unconditionally, and if they don’t, whatever happened to her, they should know that they are within this country and the long arm of the law will catch up with them. And the government should be firm,” he said.

Mohammed said the Nigerian Army remains a professional force but faces enormous security challenges due to the spread of bandit and insurgent camps across the country.

He said the military requires more manpower, drones, surveillance assets and modern weapons to effectively tackle insecurity.

Mohammed also blamed political interference in recruitment for weakening security institutions.

“When I joined the Army, recruitment was strictly merit-based. Today, some political actors influence the enlistment of people who are not fit for service. This affects discipline, professionalism and operational effectiveness,” he said.

He urged leaders to ensure only credible and trustworthy individuals are recruited into the armed forces and other security agencies.

“The government must show greater commitment to security through increased funding, recruitment and decisive action. It must demonstrate its ability to project force across the country and reclaim territories occupied by bandits and other criminal groups,” he added.

Failure to rescue widow will empower criminals – Security expert

Dr Yahuza Getso, a security expert, said the government must act swiftly to rescue the late general’s wife.

“If the state fails to rescue the widow promptly, it sends a dangerous message that criminal groups are stronger than the government,” he said.

Similarly, a former military intelligence officer, Abubakar Ibrahim, said anything short of decisive action could embolden criminal networks.

“The international community is watching. It is either we win this battle or face grave consequences,” he said.

Some residents in Katsina metropolis said the retired general’s death has deepened fears and reinforced a growing sense of vulnerability.

Malam Sama’ila Balarabe said, “This incident has shown us that insecurity respects no rank or status.

“If someone of his standing is not safe, then who is? People are afraid and are losing confidence in the government’s ability to protect lives.”

Another resident, Malam Bashir Usman Ruwangodiya, urged security agencies to take stronger action against criminal groups and warned against what he described as complacency among political leaders.

“It is high time the Federal Government took decisive action against insecurity. Anything short of that risks further loss of lives of serving and retired security personnel as well as innocent civilians,” he said.

Daily Trust