NEWS
Former Defence Spokesperson Major General Rabe Abubakar, Wife Abducted By Suspected Terrorists Along Katsina Highway
Nigeria’s worsening insecurity in the North-West has again sparked concern following the reported abduction of a former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd.), and his wife by suspected terrorists in Katsina State.
The retired senior military officer and his wife were reportedly kidnapped on Saturday while travelling to Katsina State through the Matazu axis, an area that has repeatedly witnessed attacks linked to armed criminal groups popularly referred to as bandits.
Heavily armed assailants reportedly intercepted the couple along the route and forcefully whisked them away to an unknown destination, raising fresh fears over the growing wave of kidnappings targeting travellers and prominent individuals across Nigeria’s northwestern region.
Sources familiar with the development disclosed that the incident occurred within Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, an area that has remained vulnerable despite ongoing military and security operations aimed at restoring peace and stability.
During the attack, the retired general’s driver reportedly escaped from the scene, although he sustained a gunshot injury while fleeing from the attackers.
“Maj. Gen. R. Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, was kidnapped together with his wife on his way to Katsina today.
“He was kidnapped along Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. His driver escaped with a gunshot injury,“ the source said.
Further details revealed that the vehicle involved in the incident, identified as a red Peugeot 504 assigned to the retired officer, was later recovered and taken to the Matazu Divisional Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.
“The senior officer’s Peugeot 504, red in colour, is parked at the Matazu Division of the Nigeria Police Force,“ the source added.
A separate security message reportedly circulated among military and security contacts by retired Brigadier General Sagir Musa also alerted authorities and concerned stakeholders to the development, urging immediate intervention.
The message read: “Maj Gen R Abubakar former Dir Def Info was kidnapped together with his wife on his way to Katsina today. He was kidnapped along Matazu LGA of KTS. His driver escaped with gunshot injury. The Snr offr Peugeot 504 Red in color is parked at Matazu Div NPF. Plse pass to authorities as appropriate.”
As of the time this report was filed, neither the Katsina State Police Command nor military authorities had officially confirmed or denied the incident, leaving many Nigerians anxiously awaiting updates regarding the safety and possible rescue of the retired general and his wife.
The reported abduction has once again drawn attention to the persistent security crisis affecting Katsina and neighbouring Zamfara State, where armed groups continue to terrorise communities through kidnappings, killings, cattle rustling and attacks on villages despite repeated security offensives.
Over the years, federal and state authorities have launched several military operations and peace initiatives aimed at ending the violence and persuading armed groups to surrender their weapons.
However, many of those efforts have failed to yield lasting results, as attacks by bandit groups continue across several local government areas, forcing residents to live in fear and uncertainty while travellers remain vulnerable on major
highways within the region.