JUST IN: Insecurity worsening under Tinubu – Atiku laments

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has declared that Nigeria is losing hard-won gains against terrorism and banditry under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his media office, Atiku cited the death of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe in captivity and the recent attack on schools in Chibok, Borno state, as evidence of worsening insecurity across the country.

The former vice-president described Rabe’s death as a painful reminder of the vulnerability of Nigerians, including those who once served in the nation’s security architecture.

“It is with profound sadness and deep anger that we mourn the death of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe, a distinguished former Army Spokesperson and Director of Defence Information, who tragically passed away while in the captivity of bandits.

“General Rabe devoted the better part of his life to defending Nigeria. He served this country with honour, courage, and distinction. That such a man could end up dying in the hands of criminals is both heartbreaking and unacceptable,” he stated.

Rabe was abducted alongside his wife on May 30 in Katsina state. Reports indicate that the retired army officer died in captivity after suffering complications linked to diabetes and hypertension.

“His death marks yet another painful blow to our nation’s security architecture and a chilling reminder of the vulnerability of even our most experienced military leaders in the face of rampant banditry and terrorism.

“General Rabe’s ordeal is not an isolated case. In recent times, other senior military officers and distinguished Nigerians have either been killed or subjected to similar traumatic experiences at the hands of criminal gangs,” he said.

Atiku said the attack on schools in Chibok on the same day Nigerians learnt of Rabe’s death underscored the persistence of insecurity.

“As Nigerians mourned the passing of a retired Major General in the captivity of bandits, terrorists were simultaneously attacking the Kautikari community in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State and setting primary and secondary school facilities ablaze.

“Chibok is not just a location; it is a national scar. Since the abduction of more than 270 schoolgirls in April 2014, the name has become a symbol of pain, loss, and collective trauma. Twelve years later, many families have still not fully recovered from the emotional devastation of that tragedy,” he lamented.

The former vice-president said the incident had reopened painful memories associated with the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction.

“It was as though Nigeria was being dragged back into one of the darkest chapters of its history. The flames that consumed those school buildings yesterday also reignited painful memories that Nigerians have spent more than a decade trying to overcome.”

“The tragedy is not merely that schools were burnt; it is that a wound that never truly healed has been torn open once again,” he stated.

Atiku said recent events suggest that the sacrifices made by security personnel are being undermined by the government’s handling of insecurity.

“What this tells Nigerians is simple and painful: despite the sacrifices of our soldiers, despite the billions spent on security, despite the countless lives lost in the war against terror, the nation is steadily losing the gains that were won through blood and sacrifice,” he said.

He noted that dozens of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in recent attacks across Oyo and Borno states remain in captivity.

The former vice-president renewed his call for a state of emergency on security, saying the government must move beyond rhetoric and take decisive action.

Hiswords: “This is precisely why I called for the declaration of a state of emergency on security. We cannot continue to pretend that all is well while bandits and terrorists roam freely, abduct citizens, burn schools, occupy communities, and even bring down our senior military officers.”

“The Federal Government must rise to the occasion without further delay. Empty promises, propaganda, and routine condemnations are no longer enough.

“Nigerians deserve decisive, coordinated, and result-oriented action that will rescue those in captivity, dismantle criminal networks, and restore confidence in the capacity of the state to protect lives and property.”

Atiku extended condolences to the family of the late Rabe and called for the safe release of all Nigerians currently being held captive by kidnappers and terrorist groups.