President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed shock over the death of retired Major-General Abubakar Rabe, who died in captivity two weeks after he was abducted by terrorists.
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Rabe was reportedly kidnapped alongside his wife while travelling to his hometown. In a video released about a week after the abduction, the terrorists demanded the release of three of their members in government custody as a condition for freeing the retired general and his wife.
The demand came amid similar reports that terrorists holding schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State had also demanded the release of their members before the victims would regain freedom.
Reacting in a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said his administration would not bow to the demands of terrorists or release their detained members.
“While the terrorists have done their worst, the President wants them to know that the government will never bow to their demand to release their members,” the statement read.
Tinubu said bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terrorism must either surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State.
“As I said on June 12, bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror should now surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. 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, assuring them that the country would overcome terrorism and continue its path toward peace and prosperity.
“As Nigerians, we must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation,” he added.
Tinubu described the death of the retired general as a defining moment in the fight against terrorism, stressing that the government must not negotiate with terrorists on any terms.
“General Abubakar’s death should further serve as a defining moment in our battle against terrorists and insurgents, never to negotiate with them on any terms, but to continue to treat them as the greatest enemies of our dear nation, who should never be spared,” the President said.
He commiserated with the family of the late retired general, especially his wife, who is still being held against her will.
The President also extended his condolences to the Katsina State Government and the Nigerian Armed Forces over the death of the retired senior military officer.
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