General Rabe’s Death Exposes Security Failures, CISLAC Demands Probe of Defence Spending

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called for a comprehensive investigation into Nigeria’s defence expenditure and declared that the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar in bandits’ captivity highlights the country’s worsening security crisis.

The organisation also urged the Federal Government to declare a national emergency on insecurity, citing the persistent wave of kidnappings, banditry, and violent attacks across several parts of the country despite huge budgetary allocations to the security sector.

In a statement signed on Sunday by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC described the retired army officer’s death as a national tragedy and a stark reminder of the growing reach of criminal groups.

According to Rafsanjani, the incident raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of Nigeria’s security architecture, particularly at a time when billions of naira are being committed annually to defence and security operations.

“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 said.

He noted that Nigeria continues to lose military personnel, security operatives, traditional rulers, community leaders, and ordinary citizens to criminal gangs operating across different regions of the country.

Rafsanjani argued that the worsening insecurity reflects a broader failure by political leaders to adequately confront the challenge.

“We have reached a stage where even those who once occupied strategic positions in government and security institutions are no longer safe after leaving office. This should concern every political leader because insecurity does not discriminate,” he stated.

The CISLAC boss also expressed concern over the growing number of kidnappings, particularly the abduction of schoolchildren and attacks on rural communities, warning that the trend is undermining public confidence and threatening access to education in affected areas.

He referenced recent reports indicating a sharp rise in abductions across northern Nigeria and warned that criminal groups appear to be operating with increasing confidence.

While acknowledging efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen security operations, Rafsanjani questioned why insecurity persists despite record funding for the sector.

He recalled that President Bola Tinubu, in his Democracy Day address, disclosed that the 2026 budget allocated N5.41 trillion to defence and security, the highest security spending in the nation’s history.

Rafsanjani, however, maintained that the huge investment had yet to translate into the level of safety expected by Nigerians.

“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.

The civil society leader further pointed to what he described as systemic failures, weak intelligence coordination, negligence, and corruption within the security sector.

He questioned how criminal groups continue to organise attacks and evade arrest despite the presence of multiple intelligence and security agencies.

“There is an urgent need to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve inter-agency coordination, and dismantle the networks supporting these criminal activities,” he added.

CISLAC also called for greater transparency in the management of security funds, urging the Federal Government and state governments to subject security spending and security votes to independent audits.

The organisation stressed the need to improve the welfare, training, equipment, and operational capabilities of security personnel while promoting intelligence-led policing and military operations.

It further urged the National Assembly to intensify oversight of security institutions and ensure that public resources allocated to the sector are properly utilised.

Rafsanjani warned that political leaders must not allow electoral calculations and political manoeuvring to overshadow the urgent need to protect lives and property.

He reiterated CISLAC’s call for far-reaching security sector reforms, stronger intelligence collaboration, increased community participation in security efforts, and sustained political commitment to restoring peace across the country.