Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar—a former spokesperson for Nigeria’s armed forces—has been confirmed dead after a kidnapping in Katsina state, the military announced on Tuesday. The 61‑year‑old officer was seized along with his wife and driver while traveling for a wedding, according to local reports.
No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction. The Nigerian armed forces said they awaited rescue operations before commenting publicly, but later confirmed that Abubakar’s death was a result of ongoing hostilities with “bandit” and other militant groups in the area.
The incident highlights the persistent security challenges in north‑west Nigeria, where criminal gangs routinely carry out ransom kidnappings, cattle‑rustling and attacks on rural communities. The military described the loss as “tragic,” praised Abubakar’s anti‑insurgency service, and noted that his wife’s whereabouts remain unknown.
