A former presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has expressed concern over Nigeria’s worsening security situation following the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar while in the custody of his abductors.
Online had reported that Abubakar was abducted alongside his wife in Katsina State and died after spending weeks in captivity.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Hayatu-Deen described the late former Army spokesman as a distinguished military officer who served the country with honour and dedication.
Hayatu-Deen stated that the incident reflects the growing insecurity across the country and called for urgent measures to address the crisis.
“This is not a partisan statement. I have no interest in scoring political points off the graves of our soldiers or the suffering of our children. I speak as a concerned private citizen,” he said.
The former presidential hopeful noted that several Nigerians remain in captivity, including schoolchildren and teachers abducted from Oriire in Oyo State 27 days ago.
He also referenced recent attacks in Kogi State, where bandits reportedly killed a vice principal, a six-year-old child and another resident during a WAEC examination period. He further cited the terrorist attack on Kautikari village near Chibok in Borno State, the abduction of more than 40 students in Askira-Uba, and the killing of an officer and six soldiers in Kaduna State.
According to him, such incidents are occurring in virtually every part of the country, underscoring the need for a comprehensive response.
While mourning General Abubakar, fallen military personnel and other victims of terrorism and banditry, Hayatu-Deen said expressions of sympathy alone would not solve the problem.
He pointed to Nigeria’s ranking on the Global Terrorism Index and reports of rising terrorism-related deaths as indicators of the severity of the challenge.
Hayatu-Deen argued that insecurity and economic hardship are closely connected, warning that poverty, unemployment and rising living costs are creating conditions that encourage criminal activities and recruitment into violent groups.
He urged federal and state governments to strengthen social welfare programmes, support struggling businesses, assist farmers affected by insecurity and expand safety nets for vulnerable communities.
The ADC chieftain also welcomed the recent passage by the House of Representatives of a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police and called on the Senate to expedite its consideration.
“While state police is not a cure-all, it is an important step toward strengthening local security, provided safeguards are put in place to prevent abuse, corruption and political interference,” he said.
Hayatu-Deen also advocated stronger community policing structures, improved intelligence gathering, revitalisation of the Multinational Joint Task Force and enhanced collaboration with neighbouring countries to tackle cross-border terrorism.
He further called for increased support for the military through aggressive recruitment, improved welfare packages, better care for families of fallen personnel, modern equipment and enhanced training.
While commending the armed forces for recent operations, including the rescue of 360 women and children from a terrorist camp in Borno State, he stressed that more decisive action was required to halt what he described as the country’s gradual slide into lawlessness.
He urged governments at all levels and citizens to adopt a whole-of-society approach to addressing insecurity and poverty.
According to him, national unity and collective action remain critical to restoring peace, stability and public confidence across the country.