Insecurity
BREAKING: Former Nigerian Defence Spokesman, Major General, Wife Reportedly Abducted By Gunmen In Katsina As Driver Escapes With Gunshot Wounds
Sources familiar with the incident told Afrika Eyes that the retired senior military officer and his wife were travelling to Katsina State when they were intercepted and kidnapped by the attackers in Matazu Local Government Area.
Katsina State — Former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd.), and his wife have reportedly been abducted by armed gunmen along the Katsina-Matazu axis of Katsina State.
Sources familiar with the incident told Afrika Eyes that the retired senior military officer and his wife were travelling to Katsina State when they were intercepted and kidnapped by the attackers in Matazu Local Government Area on Saturday.
According to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity, the incident occurred on Saturday, with the gunmen reportedly attacking the vehicle conveying the retired general and his wife before taking them away to an unknown destination.
“The former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar, was kidnapped together with his wife while travelling to Katsina. The abduction took place in Matazu Local Government Area,” the source said.
The source further disclosed that the retired officer’s driver survived the attack but sustained gunshot injuries while escaping from the scene.
“His driver escaped, although he suffered gunshot wounds during the attack,” the source added.
Information obtained by Afrika Eyes indicated that the vehicle involved in the incident, described as a red Peugeot 504 belonging to the senior officer, was later recovered and parked at the Matazu Division of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
“The senior officer’s Peugeot 504, red in colour, is currently parked at the Matazu Divisional Police Headquarters,” another source familiar with the development said.
A message circulating among security and military circles, from retired Brigadier General Sagir Musa, also alerted authorities to the reported abduction.
The message read: “Maj Gen R Abubakar former Dir Def Info was kidnapped together with his wife on his way to Katsina today. He was kidnapped along Matazu LGA of KTS. His driver escaped with gunshot injury. The Snr offr Peugeot 504 Red in color is parked at Matazu Div NPF. Plse pass to authorities as appropriate.”
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement confirming the incident or providing details of ongoing rescue efforts.
The reported abduction comes amid worsening insecurity across Katsina and neighbouring Zamfara states, where armed bandit groups have continued to carry out mass kidnappings, attacks on communities, highway ambushes, and cattle rustling despite repeated military operations.
Over the years, both state governments and local authorities have explored various approaches, including negotiations and peace agreements with bandit leaders, in efforts to curb violence in the region.
However, many of the initiatives have either collapsed or failed to produce lasting results, with attacks continuing across several local government areas.
Katsina State, the home state of former President Muhammadu Buhari, remains one of the states most affected by banditry in Nigeria’s North-West region.
Residents and security experts have repeatedly warned that criminal groups operating across Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and parts of Kaduna State have become increasingly sophisticated, often targeting travellers, villages, traditional rulers, and security personnel.
