Fresh details have emerged on the final moments of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, with his widow revealing that he died in her arms while the couple was held captive by bandits in Katsina State.
The account, reportedly obtained from Amina Abubakar while she was receiving treatment after regaining her freedom, contradicts the Katsina State Government’s earlier position that the retired general died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension.
General Abubakar and his wife were abducted on May 30, 2026, along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The retired officer later died in captivity, while his wife was subsequently rescued after sustaining a gunshot wound.
According to a source quoted by Weekend Trust, Amina said her husband had no known history of diabetes or hypertension and was in good health before their abduction.
The source said the widow noticed that one of the general’s legs became suddenly swollen while they were in captivity and suspected he may have been bitten by a snake.
When she drew the bandits’ attention to the swelling, they reluctantly admitted that a snake had bitten him.
The kidnappers reportedly attempted to treat the wound by applying mashed leaves to the affected leg, but General Abubakar’s condition deteriorated rapidly.
He eventually died in his wife’s arms. The source described the experience as deeply painful for the widow.
The source also disclosed that while the retired general was still alive, the kidnappers offered to release his wife, but she refused, insisting she would only leave with her husband.
Following General Abubakar’s death, the Defence Headquarters said it had deliberately withheld public comment on the abduction to avoid jeopardising rescue efforts.
The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Samaila Uba, said the Armed Forces and other security agencies deployed significant resources in the bid to secure the retired officer’s release.
He described General Abubakar as a distinguished officer who served with dedication and made immense contributions to counter-insurgency operations and the professional development of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Meanwhile, security agencies have launched investigations into why the bandits reportedly attempted to flee their hideout shortly before troops arrived.
A security source said authorities were probing whether information about the planned rescue operation had been leaked.
“Before the troops were dispatched, the location was carefully mapped and all the coordinates sorted out.
It remains curious why the bandits suddenly attempted to flee a location where they had kept the General, his wife and others for days.
The possibility of sabotage cannot be ruled out,” the source said.
(The Whistler)
