KATSINA, NIGERIA — A retired senior Nigerian military officer and his wife have been abducted by armed men in north-west Nigeria, the Nigerian Army has confirmed.
Major General Rabe Abubakar, who served prominently as the military spokesman between 2015 and 2017, was kidnapped from his vehicle on Saturday while traveling through Katsina State. Local reports indicate that the retired general was en route to a wedding when heavily armed gunmen ambushed his car.
During the brazen attack, Abubakar’s driver reportedly managed to escape despite being hit by gunfire. The attackers then forced the former military spokesman and his wife into a nearby forested area.
Military spokesman Gen Michael Onoja told the BBC that extensive efforts are currently under way to rescue the couple and track down their captors. The army stated that no group has claimed responsibility for Saturday’s abduction yet, and authorities are waiting for the kidnappers to make contact with the family.
Escalating Security Crisis
This high-profile kidnapping casts a renewed spotlight on the relentless security challenges plaguing parts of north-west Nigeria. The region is heavily terrorized by heavily armed criminal gangs, locally known as “bandits,” who frequently carry out kidnappings for ransom, cattle rustling, and deadly raids on rural communities. Militant jihadists are also known to operate in the wider region.
Katsina has been one of the states most devastated by the violence, alongside neighboring Zamfara and Sokoto. Despite the government intensifying actions to curb kidnapping—including introducing measures to discourage ransom payments—attacks have persisted.
Bloody Eid Holiday in Katsina
The abduction of Maj Gen Abubakar comes just days after another massacre in Katsina State. On Friday, shortly after prayers for the Eid al-Adha holiday, armed men reportedly raided Kiliya village in the Dutsinma Local Government Area, killing at least 16 people.
While the police have not yet released an official statement regarding the Kiliya village killings, residents noted that the attack occurred just as communities gathered to celebrate. Security agencies had previously issued warnings about possible attacks during the holiday, prompting several state governments to strengthen security and limit large public gatherings.
This is a developing story. Keep refreshing www.abtnews.net for the latest updates on the search and rescue operations.
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