When a General Dies in Captivity, Who Is Really Safe? -By Usman Muhammad Salihu

The death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar in the custody of kidnappers is more than a tragic personal loss; it is a painful reflection of the state of insecurity in Nigeria. It forces the nation to confront difficult questions about safety, governance, and the future of national security.

For decades, Major General Rabe Abubakar served Nigeria in uniform. As a former Director of Defence Information and military spokesperson, he was among the familiar faces of the country’s security establishment. He dedicated years of his life to defending the nation and communicating military operations to the public. Yet, in a cruel twist of fate, he reportedly spent his final days in the hands of criminals.

The symbolism of his death cannot be ignored. If a retired general—someone who once occupied one of the highest levels of military service—could be abducted and held captive, what hope remains for ordinary citizens who lack influence, protection, or access to powerful institutions?

Across Nigeria, kidnapping has evolved from an isolated criminal activity into a thriving industry. Farmers are seized on their farmlands. Students are abducted from their schools. Travelers are intercepted on highways. Community leaders, traditional rulers, and religious figures have all become targets. Families now live in fear, uncertain whether a routine journey or daily activity could turn into a nightmare.

The death of General Rabe Abubakar is therefore not just about one man. It represents thousands of untold stories of Nigerians who have suffered similar fates. The difference is that this particular victim was a man whose service to the nation was widely known. His death has drawn attention to a crisis that many ordinary citizens have endured for years without national outrage.

Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of this tragedy is the message it sends. It suggests that insecurity has become so deeply rooted that neither status nor past service guarantees protection. Criminal networks have grown increasingly bold, operating in many parts of the country with alarming confidence.

Yet beyond the anger and sorrow lies a challenge. Nigeria must decide whether such incidents will continue to be treated as isolated tragedies or as urgent national emergencies demanding coordinated action. Security agencies require stronger support, intelligence gathering must improve, communities need greater protection, and the justice system must ensure that those responsible face the full weight of the law.

The death of Major General Rabe Abubakar should not become another headline that fades with time. It should serve as a wake-up call. A nation loses something precious when those who once defended it can no longer find safety within its borders.

History may remember the day a general died in captivity. But the greater question is whether Nigeria will remember the lesson that came with his death.

For every citizen living in fear, for every family waiting for the return of a loved one, and for every victim whose story remains unheard, the nation still owes an answer.