BREAKING: Abducted Ex‑Military Spokesman Dies in Captivity

Katsina, Nigeria | By Prime Brief Media

Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information and one of Nigeria’s most senior retired military officers, has died while in the custody of bandits, exactly two weeks after he was abducted in Katsina State.

The Katsina State Government confirmed the tragic development in a statement issued on Saturday by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Mu’azu. According to the statement, the retired general died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension during his captivity.

“The deceased retired general died a natural death from complications of diabetes and hypertension,” the statement said. The government noted that sustained efforts had been made to secure his release, but the situation ended in tragedy.

General Abubakar and his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, were abducted on May 30, 2026, while traveling in a Peugeot 406 near Zakin Baure village in the Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. They were on their way to a wedding ceremony when suspected armed bandits emerged from hiding, blocked the road, and opened fire on their vehicle. Their driver, Abdullahi Sa’idu, sustained a gunshot wound to the hand but survived.

A notorious bandit leader, Muhammadu Kachalla, reportedly established contact with the family following the abduction. Days before his death, a four‑minute video was released showing the couple in captivity, pleading with the Katsina State Government to meet the abductors’ demands. The couple appeared calm with no visible signs of physical abuse, but the emotional toll on the family was devastating.

The family had earlier expressed profound distress after watching the video. “When we saw him and his wife in that condition, we broke down completely,” Mariya Ibrahim, a younger sister of the retired general, told Daily Trust. “This is our brother, someone who served this country all his life”.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda extended deep condolences to the family, describing the incident as a dark moment that underscores the urgent need to intensify the fight against criminal elements. He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to working with federal authorities and security agencies to ensure that those responsible for the abduction are brought to justice.

The general’s death is a significant loss not only to his family and Katsina State but also to the nation. He was one of the most prominent retired military officers to have fallen victim to the banditry crisis sweeping the North‑West. The government prayed for the repose of his soul and urged citizens to continue supporting security agencies in the fight against insecurity.