Nigeria is at war with bandits, author argues after general's death

Nigeria is at war with bandits and insurgents, a reality underscored by the recent death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar while in captivity. His abduction and death, alongside other high-ranking military officers killed in ambushes and assaults over the years, signal a dangerous evolution of insecurity across the country.

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The loss of an Army General, whether retired or in active service, at the hands of ragtag bandits, insurgents or terrorists is heartbreaking and a major loss to the nation.

Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu was killed in November 2021, followed by Brigadier General Musa Uba in November 2025, and Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah on April 9, 2026. These incidents, including the killing of retired Major General Idris Alkali in 2018, demonstrate that even senior military personnel are vulnerable.

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Nigeria is at war.

Reaching the rank of General in the Nigerian Army requires decades of dedicated service, sacrifice, and discipline. These individuals are not ordinary citizens but strategic national assets whose experience and leadership are invaluable. Their loss to terrorists and bandits indicates a threat that has surpassed ordinary criminality.

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These are not ordinary individuals. Generals and indeed all well-trained security personnel, whether active or retired, are strategic national assets.

The article argues that Nigeria must now confront this escalating insecurity with the seriousness, unity, and determination that a state of war demands. The nation's survival, stability, and future depend on a comprehensive response to this profound crisis.

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When a nation begins to lose such high ranking officers to terrorists and bandits, it is a clear indication that the threat has grown beyond ordinary criminality.