Suspected Terrorists Kidnap Retired General Rabe Abubakar, Wife 

A former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd.), and his wife were reportedly abducted by suspected terrorists, locally known as bandits, along the Matazu axis of Katsina State on Saturday.

SaharaReporters gathered that the retired senior military officer and his wife were travelling to Katsina when armed assailants intercepted them and whisked them away.

The incident occurred in Matazu Local Government Area, a region that has suffered repeated attacks by armed groups in recent years.

A source familiar with the incident said the general’s driver escaped despite sustaining a gunshot wound during the attack.

“Maj. Gen. R. Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, was kidnapped together with his wife on his way to Katsina today. He was kidnapped along Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. His driver escaped with a gunshot injury,” the source said.

The vehicle involved, a red Peugeot 504 assigned to the senior officer, was later recovered and is currently parked at the Matazu Divisional Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.

A message circulating among security and military contacts, reportedly shared by retired Brigadier General Sagir Musa, raised the alarm over the incident and called for urgent intervention by relevant authorities.

It read: “Maj Gen R Abubakar former Dir Def Info was kidnapped together with his wife on his way to Katsina today. He was kidnapped along Matazu LGA of KTS. His driver escaped with gunshot injury. The Snr offr Peugeot 504 Red in color is parked at Matazu Div NPF. Plse pass to authorities as appropriate.”

As of press time, the Katsina State Police Command and military authorities had not issued an official statement confirming or denying the reported abduction.

Katsina and neighbouring Zamfara remain among the worst-hit states in Nigeria’s North-West, where armed groups continue to carry out kidnappings, killings, cattle rustling, and attacks on communities despite ongoing security operations.

Efforts by state and local authorities to negotiate peace deals with armed groups have largely failed to produce lasting results, with attacks persisting across several local government areas in both states.