Suspected terrorists, locally referred to as bandits, have abducted retired Nigerian Army officer and former Director of Defence Information, Major-General Rabe Abubakar, alongside his wife in Katsina State.
The incident occurred yesterday along the Matazu axis in Matazu local government area, a corridor that has repeatedly witnessed armed attacks and kidnappings.
Sources said the retired general and his wife were intercepted by armed men while travelling, after which they were forcibly taken away to an unknown location. According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers opened fire during the operation, leaving the general’s driver injured. The driver was however able to escape from the scene. The vehicle used for the journey, a red Peugeot 504, was later recovered and taken to the Matazu Divisional Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.
Security sources also confirmed that messages circulating within military and security networks have raised alarm over the abduction, calling for urgent response efforts.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Katsina State Police Command nor the Nigerian military has issued an official statement on the incident.
The abduction adds to the growing wave of insecurity in Katsina and neighbouring states, where armed groups continue to carry out kidnappings, killings, and highway ambushes despite ongoing security operations.
