General’s death: Terrorists have done their worst; we won’t free those in custody — Tinubu

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reacted to the death of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe in bandits’ captivity, declaring that the Federal Government will never yield to demands by terrorists and kidnappers for the release of their members held in custody.

The President made the position known in a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, following the death of the retired military officer who was abducted alongside his wife in Katsina State.

Major General Rabe died in captivity about two weeks after he was kidnapped while travelling to his hometown. His wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, remains in the custody of the abductors.

The President’s reaction comes amid reports that the bandits had demanded the release of three of their members allegedly in government custody as a condition for freeing the retired General and his wife.

Similar demands have also reportedly been made by terrorists holding schoolchildren and teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State.

Responding to the demands, Tinubu insisted that his administration would not negotiate the release of detained terrorists.

“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 said.

Reaffirming his administration’s hardline stance against terrorism, Tinubu reiterated his Democracy Day warning to criminal groups operating across the country.

“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 stated.

The President urged Nigerians to remain united and confident that the country would eventually overcome insecurity.

“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 painful reminder of the need to intensify the fight against terrorism and banditry.

According to him, the incident should reinforce the government’s resolve not to negotiate with terrorists but to continue treating them as enemies of the Nigerian state.

“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 also extended his condolences to the family of the late General, the Katsina State Government and the Armed Forces of Nigeria, while expressing concern for the retired officer’s wife who remains in captivity.