Tragedy as abducted retired Major General dies in bandits’ captivity
Two weeks after his daring abduction, Retired Major General Abubakar Rabe has died in the custody of his captors.
The retired military officer was kidnapped alongside his wife around the Matazu area of Katsina State while they were en route to a wedding ceremony.
The Katsina State government confirmed the tragic development on Saturday, revealing that the General succumbed to health complications while efforts were still ongoing to secure his freedom.
Days before his demise, a distressing four-minute, two-second video circulated on social media, showing the retired General and his wife standing together and relaying the demands of the bandits.
READ ALSO: Abductors of General Rabe Abubakar contact family, demand release of detained gang members
In the footage, the General’s wife pleaded with the Katsina State government and leaders of five local government areas to facilitate the release of three detained bandit members—identified as Sani, Aminu, and Nasiru—in exchange for their freedom.
According to her, two of the individuals were arrested in Jikamshi, while the third was apprehended in Kano.
Major General Rabe also spoke briefly in the video, appealing for peace and stating that the abductors had expressed an interest in dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
In an official statement released on Saturday, the Katsina State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu, disclosed that the General died of natural causes related to pre-existing health conditions.
“The Katsina State Government, with a heavy heart and deep sense of loss, wishes to inform the general public of the tragic passing of Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar. It is with profound sadness that we confirm the General’s death while in bandits’ captivity.
“Despite the relentless and concerted efforts of the State Government and various Security Agencies to secure his safe release, the situation ended in this tragedy. The deceased Retired General died a natural death from complications of diabetes and hypertension.”
The Commissioner described the incident as a monumental loss not just to Katsina State, but to the entire nation.
Reacting to the tragedy, the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, PhD, CON, extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved family and the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Governor Radda described the General’s death in captivity as a “dark moment” for the state. He emphasized that the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for a collective and intensified front against the criminal elements threatening the peace of Nigerian communities.
