Heavily armed bandits handed over the body of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar to authorities in Katsina yesterday morning and retreated into the neighboring Matazu forest without confrontation. The development has sparked outrage over security operations in the state.
The Katsina State Government confirmed earlier that the retired General died while in bandits’ captivity exactly two weeks after his abduction. Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Mu’azu, said the retired military officer died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension during captivity. “The deceased retired general died a natural death from complications of diabetes and hypertension,” the statement said.
Major General Abubakar and his wife were kidnapped on May 30 along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area while travelling to attend a wedding ceremony. Their vehicle was ambushed near Zakin Baure village by gunmen who blocked the road, opened fire and whisked the couple into a nearby forest. The driver escaped with gunshot injuries.
A notorious bandit leader identified as Kachallah Muhammad had earlier established contact with the family and demanded the release of detained gang members instead of cash ransom. “He said what he wants is the immediate release of his relatives in government custody,” an official who spoke with the General through the bandit leader disclosed. In a video released by the abductors, the General’s wife appealed to the Katsina government and traditional rulers to facilitate the release of three detained fighters named Sani, Aminu and Nasiru, plus the return of livestock allegedly seized during security operations.
Despite coordinated efforts by the state government and security agencies, rescue attempts failed. “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 government stated.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda described the incident as a “dark moment” that underscored the urgent need for stronger collaboration to tackle insecurity. He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to working with the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
Residents of Matazu have long complained that the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road is unsafe due to repeated bandit attacks. The fact that heavily armed bandits could hand over a high-profile corpse and move back into the Matazu forest unchallenged has intensified public frustration over the security situation in Katsina and across Nigeria’s northwest.
The late General served as Director of Defence Information at the Defence Headquarters between 2015 and 2017 and was widely respected for his role in counter-insurgency operations.
