“Condolences Not Enough”: HallowMace Challenges Tinubu Over Slain General, Worsening Insecurity

"The killing of the former military officer is a tragic reflection of Nigeria's deepening insecurity and warned that official condolences alone would not address the growing threat posed by terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers across the country." HallowMace Foundation Africa 

.... Says  “The death of a retired Major-General, a man who dedicated his life to defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria, is a painful reminder that no Nigerian is immune from the menace of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.”

By Our Correspondent

The HallowMace Foundation Africa has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to move beyond expressions of sympathy and deliver concrete security outcomes following the death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar, who reportedly died while in the custody of terrorists in Katsina State.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday, the organization described the killing of the former military officer as a tragic reflection of Nigeria's deepening insecurity and warned that official condolences alone would not address the growing threat posed by terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers across the country.

While acknowledging President Tinubu's condemnation of the incident and his condolences to the family of the deceased, HallowMace Africa said Nigerians are increasingly demanding tangible results rather than assurances.

“The death of a retired Major-General, a man who dedicated his life to defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria, is a painful reminder that no Nigerian is immune from the menace of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping,” the group said.

According to the organization, the killing raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of existing security measures, stressing that if a retired senior military officer could fall victim to terrorists, ordinary Nigerians living in vulnerable communities face even greater risks.

The foundation lamented the continued deterioration of security across parts of the country, noting that many communities remain under siege, farmers are abandoning their farmlands, major highways have become increasingly dangerous, and countless families continue to live in fear.

It called on the Federal Government and security agencies to adopt more decisive and result-oriented measures, including enhanced intelligence gathering, improved coordination among security institutions, better welfare and equipment for security personnel, and stronger partnerships with local communities to identify and dismantle criminal networks.

HallowMace Africa also advocated greater accountability within the nation's security architecture and urged authorities to undertake a comprehensive review of current security strategies to ensure that criminal elements are effectively neutralized before carrying out attacks.

Particular concern was expressed over reports that the late General Abubakar's wife remains in captivity. The organization urged security agencies to intensify efforts to secure her immediate and safe release, alongside thousands of other Nigerians allegedly being held by criminal groups across the country.

The group warned against what it described as the normalization of insecurity-related tragedies, arguing that every life lost to terrorism and criminal violence represents a failure of the state to fulfill its primary responsibility of protecting citizens.

“As a nation, we mourn General Rabe Abubakar. But beyond mourning, we must commit ourselves to ensuring that his death is not just another statistic in the growing catalogue of victims of insecurity,” the statement said.

The statement was jointly signed by the Executive Director of HallowMace Foundation Africa, Ambassador Anderson Osiebe, and the Head of its Public Communications Desk, Ambassador Oguh Hyginus John.

The organization concluded by insisting that Nigerians deserve more than condolences, calling for urgent action to guarantee security, justice, and the protection of lives and property across the country.