Tragic Passing of Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar in Captivity
The Katsina State Government has officially confirmed the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, who passed away while being held captive by bandits.
The announcement, made on Saturday, June 13, 2026, by the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Mu’azu, stated that the retired officer died from complications related to diabetes and hypertension. Despite coordinated rescue attempts by state authorities and security agencies, the efforts to secure his freedom ultimately ended in tragedy.
Major General Abubakar and his wife were abducted on May 30, 2026, while traveling through the Matazu axis of Katsina State. Their plight had gained national attention after a video surfaced on June 6, showing the couple appealing to the state government to meet the captors’ demands for the release of detained associates and livestock.
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family and the nation. He described the General’s death as a “dark moment” and a sobering reminder of the urgent need for a more intensified and unified national front against the criminal elements threatening the peace and stability of Nigerian communities.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) also issued a formal statement mourning the late general, who served as a prominent military spokesperson between 2015 and 2017. The military high command praised his contributions to national security and counter-insurgency operations, while vowing to escalate ongoing operations to hold those responsible for the abduction and death accountable.
