KATSINA — In a daring escalation of the unchecked security crisis gripping Northern Nigeria, suspected terrorists have ambushed and kidnapped the former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd), alongside his wife.
The brazen attack occurred on Saturday morning along the Matazu Local Government Area axis while the retired senior officer was traveling within Katsina State. The high-profile abduction has sent shockwaves through the military establishment, exposing a terrifying reality where even top-tier veterans are vulnerable to the region’s rampant banditry.
The Ambush and Scene of Crime
According to security sources, General Abubakar and his wife were traveling in a red Peugeot 504 saloon car when a heavily armed gang intercepted them on the highway. The terrorists opened fire on the vehicle before forcing the retired general and his spouse out and dragging them into the forest.
The driver of the vehicle managed to escape the scene but sustained a critical gunshot wound during the encounter. He was later rescued by passersby and is currently receiving emergency treatment at an undisclosed medical facility.
Bullet-Ridden Vehicle Recovered
A video circulating on social media confirmed the immediate aftermath of the assault. The recovered red Peugeot 504 was filmed parked inside the compound of the Matazu Divisional Police Headquarters, showing clear bullet holes shattered across the body of the car.
An informal security alert shared among military circles by retired Brigadier General Sagir Musa quickly verified the identities of the victims, prompting an urgent call for joint security agencies to mobilize with immediate dispatch for a rescue operation.
Katsina Gripped by State-Wide Terror
This calculated ambush marks the second time a high-ranking retired general has been snatched by bandits in Katsina, following the notorious abduction of former NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga, who endured 56 days in captivity.
The incident caps a bloody 24 hours in Katsina State. Just a day prior, heavily armed bandits raided Kiliya village in the Dutsinma Local Government Area, slaughtering at least 16 residents who had gathered to celebrate local festivities right after their Juma’at prayers.
Public Backlash Over Media “Spin”
The abduction of a former military spokesperson on a major highway has triggered intense public outrage. Citizens and security experts have pointed out the sharp contrast between this brutal reality and the rosy “national unity and security” scorecards recently pushed out by Abuja’s public engagement officers.
Critics argue that while the presidency continues to engage in media spin to claim a safer Nigeria, the territory remains firmly under the threat of insurgent groups, leaving ordinary Nigerians and retired generals alike at the mercy of terrorists.
