Fresh reports confirm that Hajiya Amina Abubakar, widow of the late Major General Abubakar Rabe, remains in enemy hands.
Hajiya Amina and her late husband were seized on May 30, 2026, following a highway ambush on the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in Matazu, Katsina State.
In his final public appearance, a viral video showed the late General pleading for his freedom as his abductors demanded a prisoner exchange and the return of seized cattle.
Circulation of a four-minute video on social media shows the couple standing together, delivering the precise demands of their abductors.
In the footage, the widow conveys the abductors’ demand for the release of three detained members, identified as Sani, Aminu, and Nasiru. She notes that two of the individuals were arrested in Jikamshi, while the third was apprehended in Kano.
Hajiya Amina further appeals to the Katsina State Government and the leaders of five local government areas to facilitate compliance with the demands to secure her freedom.
The tragic reality of the situation emerged on Saturday when Dr. Nasiru Mu’azu, Katsina’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, announced that the retired General had succumbed to medical complications from diabetes and hypertension while being held by bandits.
“The Katsina State Government, with a heavy heart and deep sense of loss, wishes to inform the general public of the tragic passing of Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar,” the statement read.
Sources state that rescue efforts are ongoing but declined to provide further details or a definitive timeline.
Sadly, amid heavy tears, General Rabe Abubakar was buried under Islamic rites in Katsina, on Sat, Saturday June 13, before a solemn gathering of family, residents, and senior military officers.
As his body was lowered into the earth, the sound of Qur’anic recitations echoed through the cemetery in profound recognition of his military service to the nation.
Grief-stricken mourners called his death a tragic irony for a soldier who dedicated his life to protecting Nigeria.
“This is a painful loss, not just to the family but to the entire state.
“He served this country faithfully, yet he died in such circumstances.”Dr Sama’ila Balarabe said.
In a sharp escalation earlier this week, the high-profile kidnapping case grew more convoluted when bandit leader Kachalla Muhammad admitted he blocked the widow’s promised release. The kingpin stated his refusal was a calculated move to prevent security agencies from claiming credit for her freedom.
A leaked audio message, the bandit kingpin disclosed that heavy security deployments forced him to suspend the release. He admitted he was initially prepared to free the late General’s widow but changed his mind to avoid running into active security operations.
“I had promised the General that I would release his wife, but the deployment of security personnel in the area made me change my mind.” Kachalla asserted.
Fuming over recent arrests, the bandit leader warned that targeting his affiliates has crippled any prospects for a peaceful resolution.
He reiterated his demands for the release of three detained loyalists and the return of cattle seized during a security sweep in Jikamshi.
According to Muhammad, compliance with these terms is the singular prerequisite for halting ongoing attacks in the area.
