Retired military officers, led by Brig.-Gen. Isma’ila Abdullahi (rtd), have warned that terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping are no longer “northern problems” but a nationwide threat.
Speaking on Thursday in Kaduna, in honour of the Late Maj. Gen. Rabe Abubakar, who died in bandits’ captivity in Katsina, the ex-generals called narratives blaming the North “divisive and counter-productive”.
The group questioned “selective outrage” and cited rising attacks across all regions, saying: “Can any part of this nation remain unconcerned by the current onslaught?”. They urged the 19 northern states governors to create a joint security framework, demanded stronger political will, saying Nigeria must lead its own defense despite foreign partnerships. Abubakar’s wife was freed in a government operation, but the officers stressed support for families of victims and urgent action to rescue all captives.
