Bandits Kill Retired General Rabe Abubakar in Katsina Captivity

The Katsina State Government confirmed on Saturday, June 13, 2026, that retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information at the Defence Headquarters, died while in the custody of bandits, describing his death as a tragic loss to his family, Katsina State, and Nigeria as a whole.

Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasiru Muazu, issued a statement confirming the death. One account said Abubakar died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension during his captivity, while a second account said security authorities received intelligence that the retired military officer had been killed by his captors. His body had not been recovered at the time of the initial confirmation, with security operatives continuing efforts to locate his remains.

Abubakar and his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, along with their driver Abdullahi Sa’idu, were abducted by armed bandits along the Marabar Musawa-Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State on May 30, 2026, while travelling through the area. The family’s vehicle, a red Peugeot 504 assigned to the retired officer, was later recovered and taken to the Matazu Divisional Police Headquarters.

A Decorated Military Career Cut Short in Captivity

Rabe Abubakar was born on April 7, 1965, in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State. He was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1989 and rose through the ranks to become a Major General. He served as Director of Defence Information from 2015 to 2017, becoming one of the most prominent military spokespersons during the period of intense counter-terrorism operations against Boko Haram.

On June 6, a video circulated online showing Abubakar and his wife appealing to the Katsina State Government to secure their release by facilitating the release of detained bandits and the return of livestock allegedly seized during security operations. The video was authenticated by security agencies and described as a clear indication that both victims were alive at that point. However, subsequent intelligence failed to locate them before Abubakar’s death.

President Tinubu expressed sadness over the death and described it as a reminder of the audacity and ruthlessness of bandit networks operating across northwestern Nigeria. The Defence Headquarters also confirmed Abubakar’s death and vowed to intensify its crackdown on terrorist and bandit groups. Furthermore, security analyst Bukarti described the killing as a demonstration of the boldness of kidnappers, noting that the murder of a retired senior military officer was designed to send a message of contempt for the Nigerian state. Consequently, demands for a stronger military response to banditry in Katsina and neighbouring states intensified following the confirmation of his death.

Nation Mourns as Calls for Action Mount

Abubakar was buried at Gidan Dawa Cemetery in Katsina at 6:00 p.m. following funeral prayers attended by hundreds of family members, military comrades, state officials, and well-wishers. Governor Dikko Umaru Radda extended his condolences to the family, describing the incident as a dark moment that underscored the need for stronger collaboration in tackling insecurity. In addition, veteran military officers called on the government to honour Abubakar’s memory with concrete operational action rather than words of condolence.