The Katsina State Government has confirmed the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar while in the custody of bandits, describing it as a tragic loss to his family, the state and the nation.
Retired General Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information at the Defence Headquarters, had appeared in a viral video days earlier with his kidnapped wife, in which he pleaded with the state government to meet the bandits’ demands in exchange for their release. In a statement on Saturday, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Muazu, said the general died from complications of diabetes and hypertension during captivity.
The government expressed deep sorrow and said extensive efforts by state authorities and security agencies to secure his release proved unsuccessful. “It is with profound sadness that we confirm the General’s death while in bandits’ custody. 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 statement read.
Katsina Governor Dikko Umaru Radda extended condolences to the bereaved family and to Nigerians, calling the incident a dark moment that highlights the urgent need for stronger collaboration in addressing insecurity. The government described the abduction and death as a significant loss to the late general’s family, the state and the country.
