By our reporter 13.6.2026
Former Nigeria Army spokesperson Major General Rabe Abubakar rtd has died while in the captivity of the bandits who kidnapped him and his wife on May 30 in Katsina.
Circumstances leading to his death on Saturday remain sketchy, but according to the Katsina State commissioner for internal security and home affairs, Dr. Nasiru Mu’azu Danmusa, Major-General may have died from underlying diseases of diabetics and hypertension.
“It is with profound sadness that we confirm the General’s death while in bandits’ captivity,” he said in a statement read.
But in another report Dr. Danmusa was quoted as saying the General was killed by his captors.
Danmusa said, “security authorities had received information indicating that the retired military officer was killed by his abductors.”
He said efforts to retrieve his body from the bandits to ascertain the true cause of his death have not been successful.
A few days ago Major-General Rabe was seen sitting in captivity with his wife in a photo shared online. He was nursing a wound on his leg.
Katsina State governor Dikko Umaru Radda described the incident as a “dark moment” and a stark reminder of the growing threat posed by criminal elements operating across communities.
“This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for a united and intensified effort in confronting the forces of insecurity threatening the peace and stability of our communities,” Governor Radda stated.
Major Gen Rabe was taken by bandits reportedly led by notorious kingpin Mohammed Kachalla, efforts by the military to rescue him from his captors failed to yield results.