Retired Major General Abubakar Rabe, a former spokesman for the Nigerian Army, has passed away while being held by bandits, despite extensive attempts by both government authorities and security agencies to secure his freedom.
This tragedy has underscored the severe difficulties security forces face when attempting to rescue kidnap victims from armed groups currently operating throughout northern Nigeria.
General Rabe and his wife, Amina, were kidnapped on May 30 while driving along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Katsina State.
Their vehicle was ambushed by armed bandits near Zakin Baure village in the Matazu Local Government Area, where their driver was left with gunshot wounds.
Following the attack, security agencies initiated operations to locate the couple, with the Katsina State Government coordinating closely with security formations to ensure their safe return. Unfortunately, these efforts did not result in a breakthrough.
According to the Katsina State Government, General Rabe died due to “complications linked to diabetes and hypertension” while in captivity.
In a statement, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Muazu, expressed the government’s sorrow, calling the incident “a major loss to the nation.”
“It is with profound sadness that we confirm the General’s death while in bandits’ captivity,” the statement said.
Officials clarified that the General’s death was “not caused by direct violence from his captors” but by his worsening health conditions, highlighting the extreme risk to medically vulnerable victims held in remote areas without medical access.
Prior to his death, the kidnappers circulated a video featuring the couple pleading for assistance.
The captors demanded “the release of three detained associates and the return of livestock allegedly seized by authorities.”
While Mrs. Rabe urged officials to comply, the General called for “dialogue that could secure their freedom.”
The Federal Government remained firm in its stance “against negotiating with criminal groups or releasing suspects in custody.”
President Bola Tinubu expressed his “condolences to the family and the Armed Forces of Nigeria” while reaffirming that the administration would “not bow to the demands of kidnappers.”
Although General Rabe did not survive, his wife was later released and turned over to government officials along with the General’s remains.
