Abuja: President Bola Tinubu has strongly condemned the killing of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar in the custody of terrorists in Katsina State, declaring that the Federal Government will not negotiate with terrorist groups under any circumstances.
The President expressed shock over the incident in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday in Abuja.
He described the late officer as a distinguished soldier who served Nigeria meritoriously before his retirement from the Armed Forces.
Abubakar was reportedly abducted while travelling with his wife to his hometown. His wife is still believed to be in captivity.
Tinubu commiserated with the family of the deceased, the Katsina State Government, and the Nigerian Armed Forces, describing the incident as a painful loss to the nation.
Reaffirming the government’s stance on insecurity, the President said the killing would not weaken Nigeria’s resolve to defeat terrorism and criminality.
“While the terrorists have done their worst, they should know that the government will never bow to their demand to release their members held by our security agencies,” he said.
Recalling in his Democracy Day remarks, Tinubu warned bandits, kidnappers, and their sponsors to surrender or face the full force of the law.
“These windows of surrender will not remain open forever, and no mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians,” he said.
The President urged Nigerians to remain united and confident that the country’s enemies would ultimately be defeated.
He added that the death of the retired general should serve as a defining moment in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, insisting that the state will not engage in negotiations with terrorist groups under any condition.
It can be recalled that Abubakar, a former Army spokesman, was last seen in a video released by his captors, who demanded the release of detained bandits and seized livestock.
