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The family of late retired Major General Rabe Abubakar has challenged the Katsina State Government’s assertion that the former military spokesman died from complications related to diabetes and hypertension while in captivity. Speaking after the government announced the retired officer’s death, one of his sons insisted that his father was not diabetic and had not suffered from the condition cited in the official explanation. The family’s response has raised fresh questions about the circumstances surrounding the general’s death after he was abducted by bandits alongside his wife in Katsina State.
According to the son, the family was surprised by the government’s statement attributing the death to diabetes-related complications. He maintained that while the retired general had age-related health concerns common among elderly people, he was not known to be diabetic. The family therefore called for greater transparency regarding the events that led to his death, arguing that the public deserved a clearer account of what transpired during his captivity. Reports indicate that the kidnappers had held the former Director of Defence Information for about two weeks after abducting him while he was travelling with his wife to attend a wedding.
The Katsina State Government had earlier announced that Major General Rabe died in captivity despite efforts by security agencies and government officials to secure his release. In its statement, the government said the retired officer succumbed to complications arising from diabetes and hypertension while being held by the abductors. The announcement triggered widespread reactions from military veterans, political leaders, and security experts, many of whom described the incident as a tragic reflection of Nigeria’s persistent kidnapping crisis.
The death of the former army spokesman has renewed concerns over the growing reach of armed bandit groups operating across northwestern Nigeria. Security analysts argue that the abduction and death of a retired senior military officer underscore the scale of the insecurity challenge confronting the region. Meanwhile, calls have intensified for stronger rescue capabilities, improved intelligence gathering, and more aggressive operations against criminal groups responsible for kidnappings, killings, and attacks on communities across the country.
