The death of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe in captivity has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians expressing grief, concern over the country’s security situation, and reflections on leadership and public service.

Rabe, who was abducted alongside his wife in Katsina State about two weeks ago while travelling for a wedding, reportedly died while in captivity.

The Katsina State Government, through the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu, announced on Saturday that the retired military officer died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension while being held by his abductors.

Following the announcement, social media users took to Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) to mourn the former general and comment on the broader challenge of insecurity in the country.

On Facebook, Usman Almustapha described the incident as a lesson for serving military personnel, urging them to protect ordinary citizens during their years of service.

“The death of Major General Abubakar Rabe (Rtd) should serve as a lesson to serving military personnel. Use your position to protect and safeguard ordinary citizens while you are in service,” he wrote.

Another commenter, Musa Hassan, said the incident underscored the temporary nature of power and public office.

“People in power should know that power is transient and their failures and inaction today can affect them in future,” he stated.

Similarly, Suleiman Zaria offered prayers for the deceased while stressing the importance of responsible leadership.

“Leadership is a trust, and history never forgets. Doing the right thing at the right time will always leave a legacy of honour and service,” he wrote.

Mohammed Abdullahi Nako wrote: “If an army general can be kidnapped and killed, then who is safe? We are in grave danger under this lackadaisical government. The nation is no longer safe. Incessant kidnappings, banditry, and other violent crimes against citizens have become the order of the day.

“The government appears preoccupied solely with strategies to win the next election, while the safety of lives and property is no longer its priority. This misplaced focus underscores a glaring level of incompetence. When those entrusted with the security of the state cannot protect even high ranking military officers, it exposes a total collapse of the security architecture and a dereliction of the government’s primary constitutional duty to its people.”

Other users reflected on the country’s security challenges. Orok Bassey suggested that experiences such as Rabe’s could influence future discussions on approaches to addressing insurgency and banditry, while Joel Yuyu called for accountability and justice in confronting wrongdoing.

On X, many users expressed concern over the state of insecurity and questioned the safety of citizens.

A user identified as @abba_laminu lamented what he described as the growing threat posed by bandits, noting that the death of a retired senior military officer highlighted the dangers facing Nigerians.

“After years of service and sacrifice, Allah ya jiqanshi da rahama,” he wrote.

Another user, @Isiyaq, called on political leaders to take stronger measures against insecurity, while @ReliableGov described the incident as tragic.

Several other users used the occasion to renew calls for more effective responses to kidnapping and banditry across the country.

Rabe’s death has added to growing concerns over insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom and bandit attacks continue to pose significant challenges despite ongoing security operations.

The retired military officer’s passing has drawn condolences from citizens across the country, many of whom described the incident as a painful reminder of the need for sustained efforts to improve security and protect lives.

(Weekend Trust, but headline rejigged)

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