TDFormer Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (Rtd.), and his wife have reportedly been abducted by suspected bandits while travelling to Katsina State on Friday.
According to a security alert circulated by retired Brigadier General Sagir Musa, the retired senior military officer and his wife were kidnapped along the Matazu Local Government Area axis of Katsina State.
The alert disclosed that the couple’s driver managed to escape from the attackers despite sustaining gunshot injuries during the incident.
“Maj Gen R. Abubakar, former Director Defence Information, was kidnapped together with his wife on his way to Katsina today.
“He was kidnapped along Matazu LGA of Katsina State.
“His driver escaped with gunshot injury,” the message stated.
The security alert further revealed that the retired general’s red Peugeot 406 vehicle was later recovered and is currently parked at the Matazu Division of the Nigeria Police Force.
Watch video clip of the vehicle below:
Security agencies have reportedly been notified, while efforts are expected to intensify to rescue the retired officer and his wife and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
Major General Rabe Abubakar is a respected retired Nigerian Army officer who served as Director of Defence Information, the official spokesman of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, between 2015 and 2017.
During his tenure, he became one of the most recognizable military spokespersons in the country, regularly briefing the media on counter-insurgency operations and national security matters.
Born on April 7, 1965, in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State, Abubakar was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1989 after obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in History.
Over a military career spanning nearly three decades, he held several command, staff and public affairs appointments.
As Defence spokesman, he played a key role in shaping military communications during the height of Nigeria’s war against Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.
He was also known for advocating greater openness and improved relations between the military and the media.
Following his tenure as Director of Defence Information, he served in other strategic appointments before attaining the rank of Major General and subsequently retiring from active service.
The reported abduction adds to growing concerns over insecurity and kidnapping activities in parts of Katsina State and the wider North-West region.
As of the time of filing this report, there had been no official statement from the Nigerian Army, the Katsina State Government, or security agencies regarding the incident.
