Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, has reportedly been killed by bandits while in captivity after being abducted in Katsina State, according to state officials.
Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, has reportedly been killed while in captivity after being abducted by bandits in Katsina State, in a development that has deepened concerns over worsening insecurity in the region.
According to Daily Post, the confirmation was given on Saturday by the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Mu’azu Danmusa.
Danmusa said security authorities had received intelligence indicating that the retired senior military officer was killed by his abductors, though efforts were still ongoing to recover his remains.
“security authorities had received information indicating that the retired military officer was killed by his abductors,” he stated.
Major General Abubakar and his wife were kidnapped on May 30 along the Matazu axis of Katsina State while travelling through the area, in a high-profile abduction that immediately triggered nationwide concern.
At the time of the incident, security agencies and state officials had expressed optimism that the retired general would be rescued alive, given ongoing counter-kidnapping operations in the state.
However, the latest confirmation suggests a tragic outcome despite weeks of search and rescue efforts by security operatives.
Authorities say operations are still ongoing to locate the remains of the retired military officer, while the fate of his abducted wife remains a key concern.
The killing has added to growing fears over the expanding reach and brutality of armed groups operating across parts of northern Nigeria, particularly in Katsina, Zamfara, and neighbouring states.
Security analysts say the incident underscores persistent gaps in intelligence coordination and rapid response mechanisms in hostage rescue operations.
Further updates are expected as security agencies continue investigations and field operations aimed at tracking the perpetrators and recovering the victims.
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