Kidnapped retired Nigerian general dies in captivity in Katsina state
A retired Nigerian army general abducted in north-western Nigeria last month has died while being held captive, the military has said. Maj Gen Rabe Abubakar was kidnapped with his wife while travelling in Katsina state, and the incident has drawn renewed attention to insecurity in the region. The military said it had been carrying out rescue efforts while he was in captivity.
Sponsored
According to the confirmed account, Abubakar was seized on 30 May when armed men attacked his vehicle as he was heading to a wedding. Local media reported that his driver was also taken during the attack. Days before news of his death emerged, a video circulating on social media appeared to show him in captivity with an apparent injury to his left leg, alongside his wife and other hostages.
The military paid tribute to the retired officer and described the loss as tragic. It said he had made immense contributions to counter-insurgency operations and offered condolences to his family and former colleagues. A military spokesman also said operations had been intensified to bring the perpetrators to justice and dismantle networks threatening the country.
The case matters because Katsina is one of the states most affected by armed violence in north-west Nigeria. Criminal gangs known locally as bandits frequently carry out kidnappings for ransom, cattle rustling and attacks on rural communities. The region has also seen activity by militant jihadists, adding to the security pressure on local authorities and the armed forces.
Sponsored
Abubakar had served as military spokesman between 2015 and 2017, giving him a public profile beyond the armed forces. His death in captivity underlines the continuing risks faced by civilians and security figures alike in parts of the north-west. It also raises questions about the reach of armed groups operating across state lines and the difficulty of securing hostages once they have been moved into remote areas.
The whereabouts and condition of Abubakar's wife remain unknown. It is also unclear which group held the retired general and whether any negotiations took place before his death. The military has said rescue operations are continuing, and the next developments are likely to focus on efforts to locate the remaining hostage and identify those responsible.
Sponsored
