By Maryam Shuaibu
Suspected bandits have abducted Rabe Abubakar, a retired major-general and former Director of Defence Information, along with his wife in Katsina State.
The couple was travelling through the state on Saturday when armed men reportedly ambushed their vehicle and whisked them away to an undisclosed location.
Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), confirmed the incident and said efforts were underway to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.
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“We are working to ensure their safe rescue and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Mr Onoja told the BBC.
The Katsina State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
Fresh security concerns
The abduction adds to growing security concerns in Katsina, one of the states most affected by banditry and kidnapping despite repeated military and security operations.
In March, three soldiers were killed during a gun battle with suspected bandits in Danmusa Local Government Area of the state.
Mr Abubakar’s kidnapping is also the latest involving a retired senior military officer in Katsina.
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Similar incident In February 2025, Maharazu Tsiga, a retired major-general and former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was abducted in Bakori Local Government Area of the state.
He spent 56 days in captivity before regaining his freedom.
Security agencies have yet to provide further details on Saturday’s abduction or indicate whether contact has been established with the kidnappers.