General Abubakar dies in captivity after abduction, Defence Headquarters confirms

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the death of Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd.).

Defense Headquarters in a statement obtained on Saturday said he “tragically lost his life in captivity following his abduction.”

In the statement, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) extended “its deepest sympathies to the Abubakar family, his colleagues and all Nigerians.”

The statement noted that Maj. Gen. Abubakar “served the nation with distinction and held many appointments including spokesperson of various military formations as well as spokesman for the AFN as Director Defence Information.”

The statement praised his contributions, saying he “made immense contributions to counter-insurgency operations, professional development of the AFN and numerous other commendable and outstanding impacts,” and called his “commitment to duty and to the unity of Nigeria” a “shining example for all personnel of the AFN.”

Defence Headquarters said it deliberately withheld public comment about the abduction “in deference to ongoing rescue efforts by the AFN and sister security agencies,” adding that “every operational resource was deployed in the hope of securing his safe return.”

The AFN described the death as a catalyst for intensified action, declaring that the loss “further strengthens the resolve of the AFN” and that it “will remain resolute in the discharge of our constitutional mandate to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria and to protect all citizens.”

As part of measures following a wave of kidnappings, the statement said “ongoing operations have since been further intensified to bring perpetrators to justice and to dismantle all terrorist networks threatening our nation.”

It concluded with an assurance that “the Armed Forces will not relent until peace and security are restored and those responsible for terrorists activities across the nation are held to account.”