A former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd), and his wife were reportedly kidnapped by suspected armed bandits on Saturday in Katsina State, north-west Nigeria. The abduction has raised fresh concerns about insecurity along major travel routes in the region.
According to reports, the incident occurred along the Matazu axis of Katsina while the retired senior officer was travelling with his wife to Katsina town. Armed attackers intercepted their vehicle and forcibly took the couple away to an unknown location.
A security source who spoke to Sahara Reporters said the driver of the vehicle was also attacked during the incident. The driver sustained a gunshot injury but managed to escape from the assailants. He is reportedly receiving treatment, though details of his condition remain unclear.
The vehicle used by the retired general, described as a red Peugeot 504, was later recovered by security operatives. It has since been taken to the Matazu Divisional Police Headquarters as part of ongoing efforts to trace the kidnappers and gather evidence.
An informal security message circulating among military contacts, allegedly shared by retired Brigadier General Sagir Musa, confirmed the abduction of the officer and his wife. The message urged authorities to act swiftly to secure their release. The authenticity of the message has not been independently verified, but it has been widely shared within retired and serving military circles.
Major General Abubakar is a well-known figure within Nigeria’s defence community. He served as Director of Defence Information, a key spokesperson role for the Nigerian Armed Forces, before his retirement. His abduction underscores the continuing threat posed by armed groups operating across parts of north-west Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom has become increasingly common.
Katsina State has experienced repeated attacks by bandits targeting travelers, rural communities, and high-profile individuals. Security agencies have launched several operations in the region, but incidents along highways and remote routes persist.
As of the time of this report, neither the Katsina State Police Command nor the Defence Headquarters had released an official statement on the incident. Family members have also not made public comments….See More
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