KATSINA, NIGERIA — Prominent Plateau State clergyman Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo has sparked intensive public debate after openly challenging the Katsina State Government’s official narrative regarding the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar. The former Director of Defence Information tragically died after being held captive by armed bandits alongside his wife for over two weeks.
Loading ...The Clergyman’s Public Inquiry
Rev. Dachomo took to social media to raise urgent questions that are now echoing across the country. He questioned how heavily armed criminals managed to safely deliver the deceased military officer’s body to state authorities, and criticized the speed at which a medical conclusion was reached without a proper post-mortem examination. He pointedly asked how the state government knew he died of diabetes and high blood pressure without an autopsy, concluding that the vengeance of God is near.
State Government’s Official Stance
The controversy follows an official announcement by the Katsina State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, which confirmed that Major General Abubakar passed away from natural causes. According to the state’s statement, the retired general succumbed to severe complications from pre-existing medical conditions—specifically hypertension and diabetes—while being held in the forest. Local media reports note that the bandits had previously released a video demanding the release of three of their arrested members and the return of seized livestock in exchange for the couple. Following his passing, the bandits reportedly allowed his remains to be retrieved, and the body was transported to the state capital, where funeral arrangements and Janazah prayers were conducted immediately in accordance with Islamic rites.
Family Disputes “Natural Causes” Claim
The state government’s rapid diagnosis has met sharp resistance from the late General’s immediate family. Relatives and close family sources have publicly rejected the explanation regarding diabetes and hypertension. Instead, they claim that the retired officer actually died from a venomous snake bite suffered while being held in the dense forest terrain. The dispute has fueled wider public skepticism, with citizens demanding to know how the government could rule out trauma or foul play without an independent, scientific autopsy, while deep concern remains for the late General’s wife, who family members confirm is still being held hostage in the forest by the bandits.
