Former Defence spokesman, wife reportedly kidnapped by gunmen in Katsina

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, raising fresh concerns over the persistent insecurity plaguing Nigeria’s North-West region.

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 forcefully took them away.

The abduction is said to have occurred within Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, an area that has experienced repeated attacks by armed criminal groups despite ongoing security operations by government forces.

A source close to the matter disclosed that the retired general’s driver narrowly escaped from the scene after sustaining a gunshot wound during the attack.

“Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, was kidnapped together with his wife while travelling to Katsina.

The incident happened along the Matazu Local Government Area. His driver managed to escape despite suffering a gunshot injury,” the source revealed.

The source further stated that the vehicle involved in the incident, a red Peugeot 504 reportedly assigned to the retired officer, was later recovered and is currently being held at the Matazu Divisional Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.

“The senior officer’s red Peugeot 504 has been recovered and is parked at the Matazu Division of the Nigeria Police Force,” the source added.

The incident has also sparked concern within security circles. A message reportedly circulated among military and security personnel and forwarded by retired Brigadier General Sagir Musa called for urgent action by relevant authorities to secure the release of the retired officer and his wife.

The message alerted authorities to the kidnapping and provided details of the attack, including the condition of the driver and the recovery of the vehicle.

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.

The development comes amid continued security challenges across Katsina and neighbouring Zamfara states, where armed bandit groups have sustained campaigns of kidnappings, killings, cattle rustling and attacks on rural communities.

Over the years, federal and state authorities have launched multiple military offensives and initiated peace negotiations aimed at curbing the activities of bandit groups operating in the region.

However, many of these efforts have yielded limited success, with attacks continuing across several local government areas.

Security analysts have repeatedly warned that the continued targeting of both civilians and high-profile individuals underscores the evolving threat posed by armed groups in the North-West.

The reported abduction of a retired military general is likely to intensify calls for stronger intelligence gathering, enhanced security coordination and more effective measures to tackle banditry across the region.

Authorities are expected to provide further details as investigations continue and efforts to locate the victims intensify.