KATSINA โ Deepening anxiety has gripped the family and associates of the former Director of Defence Information, retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, following reports of his rapidly deteriorating health in a bandits’ den.
Abubakar and his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, were ambushed and abducted by gunmen along the Karaduwa-Matazu Road in Katsina State.
A disturbing video released by the captors showed the retired senior military officer and his spouse standing under duress in a forested area, visibly distressed and appealing directly to the government for immediate intervention. Family sources and security watchers warn that the retired general’s health condition has become critical due to the harsh camp conditions, raising fears that he might not survive prolonged captivity.
The criminal operation was orchestrated by a notorious bandit kingpin identified as Kachalla Muhammad, who has since established a direct line of communication with local government officials and the victims’ family.
Rather than a standard monetary ransom, the bandit leader has issued a strict “trade-by-barter” demand for the couple’s freedom. In the video, Hajiya Amina Abubakar disclosed that the gang is demanding the immediate release of three of their detained associatesโidentified as Sani, Aminu, and Nasiruโwho are currently held by Nigerian security forces. The kingpin is also demanding the return of his livestock seized during a recent security raid at the Jikamshi village market.
Kachalla Muhammad later released an audio recording confirming he halted an initial plan to release the Generalโs wife, claiming that the heavy deployment of military and police forces in the Matazu area forced him to retract the offer to prevent security agencies from claiming credit for a rescue operation.
The Katsina State Government, through the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Zango, stated that Governor Dikko Radda has directed all tactical units to prioritize a safe rescue, though formal negotiations or prisoner swap options remain unconfirmed by the military high command.
