A group of retired senior military officers and close associates of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar have issued a strong and timely warning to Nigerians against framing the country’s worsening insecurity along ethnic or regional lines.
Speaking during a press briefing in Kaduna on Thursday, held in honour of the late general who died in bandits’ captivity, the officers described such narratives as dangerous and counterproductive.
Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi (rtd), who spoke on behalf of the group, expressed deep concern over what he called “selective outrage” in public discourse.
“These incidents of insecurity have attracted not only condemnation but also ethnic colouration, with some commentators blaming the northern region for all the ills of the Nigerian state,” he said.
A Crisis That Spares No Region
The retired officers argued that terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping have evolved into a nationwide threat that can no longer be confined to any particular region. They challenged Nigerians to ask honest questions:
“Why are we so good at selective outrage and justice? Are the rising terrorism and kidnapping activities in the country truly isolated northern problems? Can any part of this nation remain unconcerned by the current onslaught of kidnappings, banditry and terrorism?”
They pointed to the tragic death of Major General Rabe Abubakar as a painful reminder that insecurity now affects everyone — from ordinary citizens to decorated military officers who once defended the nation.
While acknowledging the efforts of the Federal Government and Katsina State Government — especially the operation that secured the release of the general’s wife, Hajia Amina Rabe Abubakar — the officers stressed that Nigeria’s security response must become far more proactive and effective.
Call for Unity and Regional Action
The group warned that ethnic rivalry, religious intolerance, and the absence of genuine national cohesion have weakened cooperation among key stakeholders. They urged the 19 Northern Governors to urgently collaborate on a comprehensive regional security framework to tackle banditry, kidnapping, and the proliferation of illegal arms.
They also called on governments at all levels to provide timely support to families of serving and retired security personnel affected by terrorism and to intensify efforts to secure the release of all Nigerians still held in captivity.
In a firm conclusion, the officers emphasised that only a united national approach, free from ethnic or regional blame, can effectively confront the insecurity threatening the country’s stability and development.
“No nation can defend our country, and certainly a strategy based solely on any foreign power cannot succeed without our country taking the lead,” they stated.
The message from these retired officers, many of whom served during some of Nigeria’s most challenging security periods, is clear: insecurity is no longer a regional issue — it is a national emergency that demands collective action, not division.
Source: Vanguard News
