Anxiety as Bandits Reject General Rabe’s Widow’s Release, Demand Prisoners, Cattle

The widow of late Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd), Hajiya Amina Abubakar, remains in the custody of her abductors more than two weeks after she and her husband were kidnapped in Katsina State, Daily Trust reports.

The couple were ambushed and abducted along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area on May 30, 2026.

Before his death, the retired military officer appeared alongside his wife in a video released by their captors, who demanded the release of some detained associates and the return of livestock allegedly seized during security operations.

In the four-minute video, Hajiya Amina appealed to the Katsina State Government and leaders of five local government areas to facilitate the release of three individuals identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru, whom the kidnappers claimed were in government custody.

The Katsina State Government on Saturday confirmed the death of General Rabe. In a statement, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu, said the retired general died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension while in captivity.

“The Katsina State Government, with a heavy heart and deep sense of loss, wishes to inform the general public of the tragic passing of Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar,” the statement said.

Security sources disclosed that efforts to secure the release of the widow were ongoing but declined to provide details of the operation or a timeline for her freedom.

Meanwhile, a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Muhammad, claimed he had initially planned to release the widow but changed his mind due to the heavy deployment of security personnel in the area.

In an audio message, the bandit kingpin said the increased security presence made it difficult to carry out the release without attracting attention.

“I had promised the General that I would release his wife, but the deployment of security personnel in the area made me change my mind,” he reportedly said.

Kachalla also expressed displeasure over the arrest of individuals he said were linked to his group and reiterated demands for the release of three detainees and the return of cattle allegedly confiscated in the Jikamshi area.

According to him, meeting those demands could open the door for peace talks and help bring an end to attacks in the affected communities.