Isyaka Rabe, son of the late retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, has rejected the Katsina government’s claim that diabetes played a role in his father’s death in bandit captivity, pointing instead to a possible snakebite, while confirming his mother remains held by the abductors.
The family of late retired Major General Rabe Abubakar isn’t buying the official story.
In an interview with Deutsche Welle Hausa on Sunday, his son, Isyaka Rabe, pushed back on claims — earlier made by the Katsina State Government — that diabetes and high blood pressure contributed to his father’s death while in bandits’ captivity.
Here’s what Isyaka had to say, point by point:
- On the diabetes claim: “Our father was not diabetic and did not suffer from hypertension. People have different opinions about what happened.”
- On what might have actually happened: “We believe it was most likely due to a snakebite, while others think he might have stepped on something. From the video, you could see his leg was swollen, but only God knows the true cause of his death.”
- On how the body was recovered: Isyaka said he has no idea how the family received his father’s remains, and that such questions should go to the government.
- On his mother’s status: He firmly shut down rumours that she’d been freed: “Anyone saying my mother has been released is not telling the truth. As I speak, she is still in their custody.”
According to the Cable, Isyaka also remembered his father as a devout, peace-loving man who lived a modest life — and died a hero.
For context: the retired general and his wife were abducted in May while travelling through Katsina. His death in captivity was later confirmed by the military, which has vowed to ramp up operations against the bandits responsible. The Katsina government’s earlier statement on his health condition was reported here.
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