Major-General Rabe Abubakar: The Wounds We Share
I have just read the statement by the Katsina State Government confirming the passing of Major-General Rabe Abubakar, rtd, a former military spokesman, while in captivity. Even though the statement says that “the deceased… died a natural death from complications of diabetes and hypertension,” this does not erase the horror of the circumstances in which he spent his final days. What haunts us is not only the manner of his passing, but the tragedy of a life of service ending in the hands of criminals who have exploited the dysfunctions of our society.
What happened to the General is a tragedy of immeasurable dimension. To return from a career that required putting one’s life on the line for one’s country, only to become a captive of ragtag criminals, is a fate no patriot deserves. It is a cruel reminder that this weather of insecurity is one we all breathe and feel. It bears our names, our faces, our families, and the histories of service behind its victims.
There is no dignified way to avoid the truth that, as a nation and as a government, we have let down the General and many others who have met similar fates. This does not take away from the efforts I know were ongoing to secure his release or rescue, nor from the renewed operations and proactive steps being taken to confront these criminal networks. But grief must never be managed with denial. Something more radical, more coordinated, and more sustained must be done to break this chain of tragic events. Contrary to the assumptions of some, nobody is immune.
What happened to the General is a cautionary tale for all of us in government today. The General, who once served in one of the most protected institutions in the country, could never have imagined such an ending. That is why it remains baffling when anyone assumes that those in public office are insulated from the failures and fractures of the nation. The same roads, the same communities, the same future, and the same consequences await us all.
As a northerner, I am doubly troubled by the direction in which our region has been dragged. No honest person can claim ignorance of how we got here. If we are even more honest, we must admit that the untrained, abandoned, and hopeless children on our streets are being turned into cannon fodder for present and future dysfunctions. Even if banditry and terrorism are defeated, a vulnerable demographic left without education, discipline, opportunity, or hope will remain available for other invidious agendas against the Nigerian state.
This is the part that should frighten us most. We once spoke of building human capital. Today, too many of our people are trapped in the desperate arithmetic of survival.
The government has the primary and non-negotiable responsibility to protect lives and property. But no government policy, however well designed, can fully overcome a society that refuses to confront parental irresponsibility, the abandonment of children, hostility to education in some communities, and the casual normalisation of neglect. Security is not sustained by bullets alone. It is sustained by schools, families, values, livelihoods, justice, and a population civilised enough to reject the temptations of nihilism.
And yet, we cannot afford to lose hope. Despair is exactly what these criminals want to manufacture. They want citizens to stop believing in the possibility of order, to stop trusting the state, and to stop imagining a country that can still be rescued. We must refuse them that victory. We must mourn the dead, demand better from the living, and insist that the Nigerian state still has the duty and capacity to reclaim every inch of its authority.
May Allah forgive him, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, and comfort his family. My condolences also go to all families who have lost loved ones to this madness. May their grief not be in vain, and may our country find the courage to end this tragedy.
10 Free Online Learning Platforms with Internationally Recognized Certificates (2026)
Looking to enhance your skills, strengthen your CV, or prepare for new career opportunities? Here are ten platforms offering free online courses and professional certifications across a wide range of fields.
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This opportunity is shared by the Professor Isa Pantami Foundation (PIP Foundation) as part of its commitment to promoting education, empowerment, and community development across Africa.
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Na Rantse da Allah inji Mallam babu wanda zai dingayin wannan tasbihin baka samu mafita ba duk irin talaucin da kake ciki ko kunci
Allah ya jikan Mallam ya mishi gafara
NEWS FLASH!
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, announces Wednesday 3rd June, 2026 as the date to begin return flights to Nigeria from Makkah, Saudi Arabia
On Saturday, 30th May 2026, my respected boss and leader, Alhaji Abdulrahman Usman Leme (@Abdulrahmanleme), will be turbaned as Madakin Mambilla by His Royal Majesty, Dr. Shehu Audu Baju II.
This is a well-deserved honour for a man who has served with excellence, humility, integrity, and commitment to our nation and his roots. From public service to community development, Alhaji Abdulrahman Leme continues to inspire many with his dedication and leadership.
A big congratulations in advance, Sir! May this title open greater doors of impact, peace, and progress.
We await the grand occasion at Emir’s Palace, Gembu, Taraba State, by 10:00 AM.
Enjoy the songs below. My personal favourite is the first one featuring the legendary Alan Waka. 🔥