A former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd.), and his wife have reportedly been abducted by suspected bandits along the Matazu axis of Katsina State.
According to sources familiar with the incident, the retired senior military officer and his wife were travelling to Katsina on Saturday when armed assailants intercepted their vehicle and whisked them away.
The abduction reportedly occurred in Matazu Local Government Area, one of the flashpoints for banditry and other violent crimes in the state.
Sources disclosed that the general’s driver escaped from the scene despite sustaining a gunshot wound during the attack.
“Maj. Gen. R. Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, was kidnapped together with his wife on his way to Katsina today. He was kidnapped along Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. His driver escaped with a gunshot injury,” a source said.
The source further revealed that the vehicle involved in the incident, a red Peugeot 504 reportedly assigned to the retired officer, was later recovered and taken to the Matazu Divisional Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.
“The senior officer’s Peugeot 504, red in colour, is parked at the Matazu Division of the Nigeria Police Force,” the source added.
A security alert message said to have been circulated among military and security personnel, and reportedly forwarded by retired Brigadier General Sagir Musa, also raised concerns over the incident and called for urgent action by relevant authorities.
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, neither the Katsina State Police Command nor military authorities had issued an official statement confirming or denying the reported abduction.
Katsina and neighbouring Zamfara states remain among the regions most affected by banditry in Nigeria’s North-West, with armed groups frequently carrying out kidnappings, killings, cattle rustling and attacks on rural communities despite ongoing security operations.
Over the years, federal and state authorities have initiated several peace talks and amnesty programmes aimed at ending the violence. However, many of these efforts have failed to produce lasting results, as attacks continue across several local government areas in both states.
Source: SaharaReporters
