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By Oscar Okhifo
Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the 2027 election, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the Federal Government over the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar in kidnappers’ captivity, questioning the official explanation for his death and accusing the authorities of failing to stem Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
In a post on his Facebook page on Sunday, Sowore recalled the abduction of a serving Brigadier General by Boko Haram insurgents some time ago, alleging that despite the officer’s distress calls, he was never rescued and his body was never recovered.
According to him, the latest tragedy involving the retired general highlights what he described as the government’s inability to effectively tackle insecurity and protect both military personnel and civilians from criminal gangs operating across the country.
“Boko Haram once captured a serving Brigadier General. He made calls for rescue and was never rescued till date, nor was his body ever recovered. Now they’ve kidnapped a retired General who has died in captivity.
“Guess what these criminal government people are saying? That he died of ‘natural causes’,” Sowore wrote.
The activist’s comments have sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians expressing similar frustrations over the country’s persistent security challenges and the handling of high-profile abduction cases.
Many of those reacting argued that security agencies appear capable of deploying sophisticated surveillance and tracking technology against outspoken citizens in the digital space, yet kidnappers and bandits often communicate with victims’ families, negotiate huge ransom payments and flout huge ransom cash without being intercepted.
They also accused political leaders and security agencies of frequently offering explanations for security failures rather than providing lasting solutions to the crisis.
Critics have also renewed concerns over the government’s deradicalisation and reintegration programme for surrendered insurgents, arguing that individuals described as repentant terrorists are rehabilitated and reintegrated into society while victims of terrorism and banditry, as well as their families, continue to bear the lifelong consequences of the violence.
According to the critics, the policy has fuelled public perceptions of impunity and weakened confidence in the country’s counterterrorism efforts.
The controversy surrounding the retired general’s death has once again brought Nigeria’s security crisis into sharp focus, with growing calls for a more decisive and accountable response to terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
For many Nigerians, the tragedy has reinforced long-standing concerns over the state’s capacity to protect its citizens, rescue victims in captivity and ensure that perpetrators of violent crimes are brought to justice.