Family Rejects Official Cause of Kidnapped General’s Death

The family of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar has rejected claims by the Katsina State Government that he died from complications linked to diabetes and hypertension while held by kidnappers. Relatives have instead pointed to a possible snake bite, based on the last video released by his captors, while stressing that only God knows the true cause.

Major General Rabe Abubakar, who served as Director of Defence Information and Army spokesman between 2015 and 2017, was abducted with his wife Hajiya Amina Abubakar on May 30 2026. Armed men attacked their vehicle along the Marabar Musawa Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State as they travelled to attend a wedding. The driver was also seized.

After about two weeks in captivity the retired officer died. The Katsina State Government announced the death and attributed it to natural causes arising from diabetes and hypertension. Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs Nasiru Muazu expressed regret and noted sustained but unsuccessful efforts by the state and security agencies to secure his release. The body was later recovered and buried in Katsina in line with Islamic rites.

In an interview with Deutsche Welle the general son Isyaka Rabe dismissed reports of diabetes as inaccurate. He said his father had no history of the condition or high blood pressure. Isyaka added that some observers linked the death to a snake bite visible in the final video from the kidnappers yet only God knows the actual cause. He described his father as a deeply religious peace loving man who lived a simple life and died a hero.

When asked about the recovery of the body Isyaka said he had no details and directed questions to the government. He also clarified that his mother remains in captivity contrary to some social media reports claiming her release. “Take it from me our mother is still in captivity. She has not been released” he stated.

One of the late general daughters Adda Abubakar had earlier posted on her X handle that her father did not suffer from diabetes and insisted a snake bite was the cause.

This case occurs against the backdrop of long standing banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria North West region. Monitoring data show a marked rise in violence. Nigeria Watch recorded 1 452 deaths linked to rural banditry cattle rustling and related operations in 2024 compared with 892 in 2023 with Katsina Zamfara and Kaduna among the worst affected states. In 2025 reports indicated a further surge in banditry linked violence and large scale kidnappings across Katsina and neighbouring areas with the threat described as pervasive.

Banditry in the North West gained momentum from around 2019 onward evolving from cattle rustling into organised ransom driven abductions that have displaced thousands and claimed many lives. High profile incidents including school seizures and attacks on prominent figures have repeatedly exposed gaps in protection even for those with military backgrounds. Ransom payments running into billions of naira have been documented in past years fuelling the criminal economy.

The death of a former senior military spokesman has renewed focus on the effectiveness of current security responses despite substantial national allocations exceeding five trillion naira for defence and internal security in the 2026 budget. Public and legislative pressure for transparency in the handling of captives and the circumstances of deaths in captivity has grown in recent months.

With the wife still held according to the family further demands for her safe release and a clearer account of events are expected. Similar past cases have often led to calls for enhanced intelligence operations more resources for affected states and a mix of kinetic and non kinetic measures to address root drivers of insecurity. The episode also highlights ongoing questions about accountability and trust between government statements and family accounts in high profile security incidents.