Retired Major General Abubakar Rabe and his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, have appealed to government authorities to intervene and secure their freedom after a video showing them in captivity surfaced online.
The couple, who were abducted exactly one week ago along the Karaduwa–Matazu Road in Katsina State, were seen in a four-minute video released by their captors and circulated on social media.
In the footage, the retired military officer and his wife appeared standing while conveying the demands of the abductors. Hajiya Amina explained that three individuals whose release was being sought by the captors had been arrested in separate locations. According to her, two of them were detained in Jikamshi, while the third was arrested in Kano.
She appealed to the Katsina State Government and leaders of five local government areas to assist in meeting the demands of the abductors in order to facilitate their release.
Speaking briefly in the video, Major General Rabe called for efforts aimed at promoting peace. He stated that the abductors had expressed a willingness for dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
Notably, no ransom demand was mentioned throughout the video.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Katsina State Government nor security agencies had issued an official statement regarding the video.
The retired army general was reportedly travelling to Katsina with his wife and their driver, Abdullahi Sa’idu, when armed men ambushed their vehicle on the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area.
The attack occurred near Zakin Baure village, where witnesses said suspected bandits emerged from hiding, blocked the road and opened fire on the vehicle, forcing it to stop.
Sources familiar with the incident disclosed that the driver sustained a gunshot wound to the hand during the attack but was later spared by the attackers.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that a notorious bandit leader identified as Kachallah Muhammad has established communication with relatives of the abducted retired general.
Sources said the bandit kingpin, who operates in parts of Katsina State, contacted the family on Monday morning, raising hopes that negotiations could eventually lead to the release of the victims.
