The abductors of the former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd), and his wife have released a video showing the couple in captivity and outlining conditions for their release.
The four-minute video, which surfaced on social media, has heightened concern over the fate of the retired military officer and his spouse, who were reportedly kidnapped along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State near Zakin Baure village.
In footage obtained on Saturday, the wife of the retired general appeared visibly distressed as she relayed their captors’ demands, saying the abductors are demanding the release of three of their members identified as Sani, Aminu, and Nasiru, as well as the return of livestock allegedly confiscated from them.
She explained that two of the detained individuals were arrested in Jikamshi, while the third was apprehended in Kano State.
The retired general, who spoke briefly in the video, appealed for efforts aimed at restoring peace and resolving the situation through dialogue.
He stated that the abductors had expressed willingness to engage in discussions and pursue peaceful coexistence with the Federal Government.
The army officer’s wife also appealed directly to the Katsina State Government and to traditional and community leaders across five local government areas to intervene and facilitate compliance with the demands to secure their freedom.
The development comes amid growing security concerns in parts of Katsina State and the wider North-West region, where kidnapping and banditry have continued to pose significant challenges despite ongoing security operations.
Sources familiar with the matter disclosed that notorious bandit leader Kachallah Muhammad, who is known to operate in parts of Katsina State, had earlier established communication with members of the retired general’s family.
As of press time, neither the Katsina State Government nor security agencies had issued an official statement regarding the video or the demands made by the abductors.