The abductors of former Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Rabe Abubakar (retd), and his wife have demanded the release of three detained associates and the return of livestock allegedly seized during security operations as conditions for the couple’s freedom.
The demands were made in a four-minute video released by the kidnappers and obtained by Sunday PUNCH on Saturday. In the video, Maj. Gen. Abubakar and his wife are seen in captivity, days after their abduction in Katsina State.
Speaking in Hausa in the footage, Mrs. Abubakar appealed to the Katsina State Government, traditional rulers, and community leaders from five local government areas to intervene and help secure the release of the three detained men, identified as Sani, Aminu, and Nasiru. She stated that two were arrested in Jikamshi and the third in Kano State, and that meeting the kidnappers’ demands would lead to the couple’s freedom. “We appeal to the authorities and community leaders to help resolve this so that we can regain our freedom,” she pleaded.
Maj. Gen. Abubakar, who also spoke briefly, urged for a peaceful resolution, calling on stakeholders to embrace dialogue. “I appeal for efforts that will promote peace. They have indicated interest in dialogue and peaceful coexistence,” he said.
Sources revealed that a notorious bandit leader, Kachallah Muhammad—who operates in parts of Katsina State—contacted the family of the retired general soon after the abduction. The kidnappers’ demands focused on the release of their detained associates, rather than a cash ransom.
The couple was abducted on May 30 while traveling through Katsina State. Their vehicle was ambushed by gunmen along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area, near Zakin Baure village, and they were taken into a nearby forest. Their driver reportedly escaped despite being shot, and security operatives later recovered their red Peugeot 504, moving it to the Matazu Divisional Police Headquarters.
The Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road is notorious for frequent kidnappings, banditry, and armed robbery, with residents regularly voicing concerns over security in the area.
As of the time of this report, neither the Katsina State Government nor security agencies had issued an official statement regarding the video or the abductors’ demands.
