Major General Rabe Abubakar and wife
New details have emerged on the final moments of the former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd), with sources claiming the retired military officer d!ed in the arms of his wife while they were being held captive by bandits in Katsina State.
The latest account, allegedly obtained from Hajiya Amina Abubakar while she was receiving treatment after her rescue, appears to contradict the official position of the Katsina State Government that the retired general d!ed from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension.
General Rabe was abducted alongside his wife on May 30, 2026, along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. He later d!ed in captivity, while his wife regained freedom after sustaining a gunshot wound.
According to Weekend Trust, a source who claimed to have spoken with Hajiya Amina during her hospitalisation said the widow insisted that her husband had no known history of diabetes or hypertension before the abduction.
“Contrary to what the Katsina State Government said, which was widely circulated in both the social and conventional media, she told us that her husband did not have diabetes or hypertension. He was hale and hearty when they were abducted,” the source said.
According to the source, the widow recalled noticing a sudden deterioration in the retired general’s health after one of his legs became swollen while they were in captivity.
“She told us that there was a likelihood that he was bitten by a snake because when she noticed that his leg was swollen, she drew the attention of the bandits, who reluctantly told her that he had been bitten by a snake,” the source added.
The source said the kidnappers allegedly attempted to treat the swelling with local remedies, but General Rabe’s condition continued to worsen.
“They brought some mashed leaves and applied them to the swollen leg, but there was no improvement as the General’s health deteriorated within a short time.
“She told us that he d!ed in her arms. It was a very difficult moment for her,” the source said.
Weekend Trust had earlier reported that while the retired general was still alive, the kidnappers allegedly considered releasing his wife, but she declined, insisting she would only regain freedom alongside her husband.
Following the retired officer’s d3ath, the Defence Headquarters said it deliberately refrained from making public comments about the abduction in order not to jeopardise rescue efforts.
The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Samaila Uba, said the Armed Forces and other security agencies deployed significant resources to secure the release of the retired general.
“Maj Gen Abubakar served the nation with distinction and held many appointments, including spokesperson of various military formations as well as spokesman for the Armed Forces of Nigeria as Director Defence Information,” Uba said.
“He made immense contributions to counter-insurgency operations, professional development of the Armed Forces and numerous other commendable and outstanding impacts.
“His commitment to duty and to the unity of Nigeria remains a shining example for all personnel of the Armed Forces.”
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