Kidnapped Nigerian Retired General Dies in Captivity

Sat Jun 13 2026 19:00:31 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Retired Nigerian Major General Rabe Abubakar, abducted with his wife in Katsina, dies in captivity. The case underscores ongoing security threats in the north‑west.

A former Nigerian army general who once served as a military spokesman has been confirmed dead after a six‑week captivity by gunmen in the north‑west region. Abubakar and his wife were seized while traveling to a wedding in Katsina state last month, and a video posted on social media showed his injured left leg before the death. The military remains silent on the perpetrators, citing ongoing rescue operations, while stating that the general’s contribution to counter‑insurgency remains a shining example. Security in the area continues to be challenged by bandit gangs and militant groups targeting civilians and infrastructure.

Kidnapped Nigerian retired general dies in captivity

Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar died while held by unknown gunmen, the Nigerian Military said. He and his wife were seized while traveling to a wedding in Katsina state on 30 May, and a video circulated online showed the injured general’s left leg before his death.

Abubakar served as the army’s spokesman between 2015 and 2017 and was 61 at the time of his death, according to local media reports. The military has chosen not to publicly identify the kidnapping group, citing ongoing rescue efforts. "In deference to ongoing rescue operations, the armed forces withheld public comment and deployed all resources to ensure a safe return," a statement read.

The abduction and death highlight persistent security challenges in Nigeria’s north‑west, where bandit gangs routinely carry out kidnappings for ransom, cattle rustling, and attacks on rural communities. Some militant jihadists also operate in the region, with a US airstrike on an alleged camp in Sokoto state in December last year.

Katsina has long been a hotspot for such violence. The military pledged intensified operations to dismantle terrorist networks threatening the nation, while offering condolences to Abubakar’s family and former colleagues.

The whereabouts of the general’s wife remain unknown. The army paid tribute to the major general, calling the loss "tragic" and reaffirming his immense contributions to counter‑insurgency operations.