Retired Major General Abubakar Rabe, a former Director of Defence Information, has reportedly died while in captivity two weeks after he was abducted alongside his wife in Katsina State.
Rabe and his wife were kidnapped by suspected bandits on May 30 along the Matazu axis of Katsina while traveling to attend a wedding.
Their driver reportedly escaped with gunshot injuries, while the couple’s vehicle was later recovered.
The retired military officer’s death was reported on Saturday, although authorities had yet to issue a detailed official statement on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The whereabouts and condition of his wife remained unclear as of press time.
Before news of his reported death emerged, security agencies and the Katsina State Government had expressed optimism that efforts were progressing toward securing the release of the retired general and his wife.
Rabe served as Director of Defence Information from 2015 to 2017 and was widely recognized as one of the Nigerian military’s most prominent spokespersons during his service.
The incident has renewed concerns over persistent insecurity and the growing threat of kidnappings across parts of northwestern Nigeria.