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Rules Out Negotiation with Abductors for Wife’s Release
- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has mourned the demise of former Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Rabe Abubakar, who died while in custody of his abductors.
NPO Reported that Rabe passed away on Saturday following complication from diabetes.
The ex-army spokesperson died two weeks after being abducted alongside his wife in Katsina state.
Reacting to the news of his demise, Tinubu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, expressed shock over the death of Rabe.
The President commiserated with the families of the retired Major General, Katsina state government, and the Armed Forces.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed shock over the death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar while in the custody of terrorists in Katsina State.
“General Abubakar, after a distinguished career in the military, retired a few years ago. He was on his way to his hometown when the hoodlums captured him.
“The President commiserated with his family, especially his wife, who is still being held against her will by the captors.
“He also extended his condolences to the Katsina State government and the armed forces.” Onanuga wrote.
While the terrorists were considered to have done their worst, Tinubu, according to Onanuga, told them that the government will never bow to their demand to release their members held by the security agencies.
As quoted by the spokesperson, the president reiterated his call for the terrorists to surrender or face the full force of the army.
As I said on June 12: “Bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror should now surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State.
“These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. And no mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.
“As Nigerians, we must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history.
“We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.” He said.
Tinubu charged Nigerians to consider the death of Rabe as a defining moment and resolve not to negotiate with the terrorists but treat them as enemies.
“General Abubakar’s death should further serve as a defining moment in our battle against terrorists and insurgents, never to negotiate with them on any terms, but to continue to treat them as the greatest enemies of our dear nation, who should never be spared.” He said.