Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, has tragically died in captivity two weeks after being abducted alongside his wife in Katsina State.
The Katsina State Government confirmed the incident on Saturday, revealing that the retired military officer succumbed to complications arising from diabetes and hypertension while being held by his captors.
The general and his wife were initially ambushed and kidnapped in the Matazu area of the state while traveling to attend a wedding ceremony.
In an official statement, the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu, described the general’s passing as a monumental loss for both the state and the entire nation.
Mu’azu emphasized that the tragedy occurred despite relentless and concerted efforts by the state government and various security agencies to negotiate and secure his safe release.
Expressing deep sorrow, Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, extended his condolences to the bereaved family, labeling the event a “dark moment” that underscores the urgent need for a collective front against criminal elements.
Prior to his death, the abductors had released a video showing the general and his wife, in which they demanded the release of three detained associates—identified as Sani, Aminu, and Nasiru—alongside the return of allegedly seized livestock.
In the footage, the general’s wife made an emotional appeal to the state government and local leaders to comply with the bandits’ demands to ensure their safety. The late general also spoke briefly in the video, advocating for peace and dialogue while noting that the captors had expressed an interest in peaceful coexistence.
The passing of Major General Abubakar highlights the persistent security challenges and the volatile nature of kidnappings in the region.
As the nation mourns a distinguished military officer who once led the country’s defense information operations, focus now shifts to the security agencies’ ongoing efforts to rescue his wife, who remains in captivity, and bring the perpetrators to justice.
