Bandits kidnap ex-defence spokesman, Maj-Gen Abubakar, wife

Fresh concerns over insecurity have emerged after retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, and his wife were abducted by suspected bandits in Katsina State.

According to Vanguard, the couple were travelling along the Katsina–Matazu road on Saturday when armed men reportedly intercepted their vehicle in Matazu Local Government Area and whisked them away to an unknown destination. The driver conveying them reportedly escaped, though he sustained a gunshot injury during the attack.

Maj-Gen Abubakar is a well-known figure in Nigeria’s military circles, having previously served as the Armed Forces’ chief spokesperson.

The incident has intensified worries about the security situation in Nigeria’s North-West region, where kidnappings and armed attacks have remained a persistent challenge despite ongoing military operations. Authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the abduction at the time of reporting.