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By Oscar Okhifo
Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, has died in the custody of bandits who abducted him in Katsina State, with the state government confirming that the senior military officer succumbed to complications from pre-existing health conditions while efforts to secure his release were still ongoing.
The Katsina State Government announced the development on Saturday, describing the death of the retired general as a tragic loss to his family, the state and the nation, and expressing regret that extensive efforts to rescue him alive proved unsuccessful.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Mu’azu, the government said Abubakar died from complications related to diabetes and hypertension while in captivity, despite coordinated attempts by security agencies and the state government to secure his freedom.
“It is with profound sadness that we confirm the General’s death while in bandits’ captivity,” the statement said, adding that the government and security agencies had worked relentlessly to secure his safe release before the tragedy occurred.
The government maintained that the late general died a natural death resulting from his underlying medical conditions, describing his passing as a monumental loss to his family, Katsina State and the nation.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda extended condolences to the bereaved family, describing the incident as a painful loss and a stark reminder of the need to intensify efforts against banditry and other violent crimes across the state.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working with the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure that those responsible for the abduction are brought to justice and to strengthen efforts aimed at restoring peace and security.
Major General Abubakar and his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, were abducted on May 30 near Zakin Baure village in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State while travelling in a Peugeot 406 vehicle.
Their driver reportedly survived the attack after sustaining gunshot injuries.
The abduction sparked widespread outrage across the country, with many Nigerians demanding stronger and more coordinated action from security authorities to curb the escalating wave of banditry in the North-West.
The tragic death of the retired general also triggered an outpouring of grief and anger on social media, with many Nigerians questioning the country’s strategy for tackling banditry and terrorism.
In a Facebook post that was later deleted, a Katsina resident identified as Malam Dansebe lamented the former military spokesman’s death, describing it as another painful reminder of the devastating toll insecurity has taken on the armed forces and the nation.
“What have these guys not done? Look at another senior man that we have lost. Have we not lost count of the loss of Army officers and rank and file? Sometimes, there are some we don’t know.
My younger brother is there fighting a war he knows nothing about.
“This man was once the information boss of Defence Headquarters. Did he kick against the controversial Operation Safe Corridor? Tomorrow, his junior officers will welcome his killers and purportedly rehabilitate them and release them to society. They will be working from outside for their comrades in the forests.
“I’m from Katsina. I dare to say that neither the state nor federal governments are angry enough to end this menace. This man never knew his own would come like this,” he wrote.
The comments reflected growing public frustration over the persistent insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria and renewed calls for more decisive action against banditry and other violent criminal groups.
As tributes continue to pour in for the late retired general, his death has further underscored the human cost of the protracted insecurity ravaging parts of northern Nigeria, with many citizens urging authorities to adopt more decisive measures to end banditry and prevent more lives from being lost under similar circumstances.