General Rabe’s death exposes security failure, CISLAC demands probe of trillions spent on defence

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, has called on the Federal Government to declare a national emergency on insecurity following the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar in bandits’ captivity.

CISLAC described the incident as a tragic symbol of Nigeria’s deepening security crisis amid worsening kidnappings, banditry and violent attacks across the country.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC expressed grave concern over the persistent deterioration of security despite trillions of naira allocated annually to defence and security operations.

Rafsanjani said the death of the retired military officer underscores the expanding reach of insecurity, leaving even former senior military commanders vulnerable to criminal elements.

“Nigeria has continued to lose military officers, security personnel, traditional rulers, community leaders and ordinary citizens to criminal groups, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of the nation’s security architecture,” he said.

“The death of a retired Major General in captivity is not only a personal tragedy but a national one that reflects the alarming state of insecurity in the country. If a decorated military officer who dedicated his life to defending Nigeria can fall victim to bandits, then ordinary Nigerians face even greater risk.”

He noted that the situation reflects a collective failure of the political class to adequately address security challenges, and warned that insecurity does not discriminate.

Rafsanjani also lamented rising kidnappings, especially schoolchildren abductions and attacks on rural communities, warning that the trend is eroding public confidence and discouraging school attendance in affected areas. He cited Amnesty International’s April 2026 report indicating that at least 1,100 people were abducted between January and April 2026 in northern Nigeria, particularly in rural communities and internally displaced persons’ camps.

The CISLAC Executive Director noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his Democracy Day address, disclosed that the Federal Government committed N5.41 trillion to defence and security in the 2026 budget, the largest security allocation in Nigeria’s history. He argued that despite unprecedented spending, Nigerians continue to face daily threats from kidnappers, bandits and terrorists.

“The Federal Government must urgently address the horrifying spate of abductions and violent attacks targeting innocent Nigerians. The situation has reached an unacceptable level and requires immediate, coordinated and decisive action,” he said.

Rafsanjani faulted recent comments by senior defence officials, describing them as evidence of a troubling lack of urgency and accountability. He specifically criticised remarks attributed to the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, that only God can ultimately bring an end to insecurity.

“Nigerians did not appoint Ministers of Defence to tell them that only God can solve insecurity. They were appointed to develop strategies, mobilise resources, strengthen security institutions and deliver results. Leadership requires action, not excuses,” he stated.

He also questioned comments by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa rtd, who attributed difficulties in procuring military equipment to global conflicts. While acknowledging that global conflicts may affect procurement, Rafsanjani said such explanations cannot excuse years of insecurity despite enormous allocations to the defence sector.

“Criminal groups operating across Nigeria do not appear to be suffering from shortages of weapons. Nigerians deserve answers about how terrorists, bandits and kidnappers continue to access arms while citizens are told that procurement challenges are responsible for the failure to defeat insecurity,” he stated.

Rafsanjani further expressed concern over systemic failures, weak intelligence coordination, negligence and corruption within the security sector. He questioned how criminal groups continue to operate despite the existence of multiple intelligence institutions, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency and the Defence Intelligence Agency.

He called for transparency and accountability in security spending and demanded a comprehensive and independent audit of defence expenditure and security votes at both federal and state levels.

The CISLAC Executive Director also criticised the National Assembly for failing to exercise sufficient oversight over security spending and outcomes, and urged improvements in the welfare, training, equipment and operational capacity of security personnel.

While acknowledging discussions on state policing, he cautioned that any implementation must be guided by strong legal and accountability frameworks to prevent abuse.

CISLAC reiterated its call for comprehensive security sector reforms, stronger intelligence coordination, enhanced community engagement, greater transparency in defence spending and sustained political will to restore peace and security across Nigeria.

The statement was signed by Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC.